Polynomial and Rational Function Modeling - Polynomial Function Models

Polynomial Function Models

A polynomial function is one that has the form

$y = a_{n}x^{n} + a_{n-1}x^{n-1} + \cdots + a_{2}x^{2} + a_{1}x + a_{0}$

where n is a non-negative integer that defines the degree of the polynomial. A polynomial with a degree of 0 is simply a constant function; with a degree of 1 is a line; with a degree of 2 is a quadratic; with a degree of 3 is a cubic, and so on.

Historically, polynomial models are among the most frequently used empirical models for curve fitting.

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