Find the Behavior (Leading Coefficient Test) x^4-36x^2

$x^{4} - 36 x^{2}$

Write $x^{4} - 36 x^{2}$ as a function.

$f (x) = x^{4} - 36 x^{2}$

Identify the degree of the function.

Identify the exponents on the variables in each term, and add them together to find the degree of each term.

$x^{4} \to 4$

$- 36 x^{2} \to 2$

The largest exponent is the degree of the polynomial.

$4$

Since the degree is even, the ends of the function will point in the same direction.

Even

Identify the leading coefficient.

The leading term in a polynomial is the term with the highest degree.

$x^{4}$

The leading coefficient in a polynomial is the coefficient of the leading term.

$1$

Since the leading coefficient is positive, the graph rises to the right.

Positive

Use the degree of the function, as well as the sign of the leading coefficient to determine the behavior.

1. Even and Positive: Rises to the left and rises to the right.

2. Even and Negative: Falls to the left and falls to the right.

3. Odd and Positive: Falls to the left and rises to the right.

4. Odd and Negative: Rises to the left and falls to the right

Determine the behavior.

Rises to the left and rises to the right