189 4 A Look Back In Chapter 2, we began our discussion of functions. We defined domain, range, and independent and dependent variables, found the value of a function, and graphed functions. We continued our study of functions by listing properties of functions, such as being even or odd, and created a library of functions, naming and graphing key functions and listing their properties. In Chapter 3, we discussed linear functions and quadratic functions, which belong to the class of polynomial functions . A Look Ahead In this chapter, we look at two general classes of functions, polynomial functions and rational functions, and examine their properties. Polynomial functions are arguably the simplest functions in algebra. They are often used to approximate other, more complicated functions. Rational functions are ratios of polynomial functions. Outline 4. 1 Polynomial Functions 4. 2 The Graph of a Polynomial Function; Models 4. 3 The Real Zeros of a Polynomial Function 4. 4 Complex Zeros; Fundamental Theorem of Algebra 4. 5 Properties of Rational Functions 4. 6 The Graph of a Rational Function 4. 7 Polynomial and Rational Inequalities Chapter Review Chapter Test Cumulative Review Chapter Project Polynomial and Rational Functions Day Length Day length is the length of time each day from the moment the upper limb of the sun’s disk appears above the horizon during sunrise to the moment when the upper limb disappears below the horizon during sunset. The length of a day depends on the day of the year as well as the latitude of the location. Latitude gives the location of a point on Earth north or south of the equator. In the Internet Project at the end of this chapter, we use information from the chapter to investigate the relation between day length and latitude for a specific day of the year. —See the Internet-based Chapter Project— Credit: kesipun/Shutterstock
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