Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Natural Domain
The natural domain of a function is the set of all real numbers for which the function is defined. For polynomial functions like y = x¹¹ + x³ + x − 5, the natural domain is all real numbers, as polynomials are defined for every real number without restrictions such as division by zero or square roots of negative numbers.
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Absolute Extrema
Absolute extrema refer to the highest or lowest points (maximum or minimum) of a function over its entire domain. A function has an absolute maximum at a point if its value there is greater than or equal to its value at any other point in the domain, and an absolute minimum if its value is less than or equal to any other point. For polynomials of odd degree, like y = x¹¹ + x³ + x − 5, the function tends to infinity as x approaches positive or negative infinity, often resulting in no absolute extrema.
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Behavior of Polynomial Functions
The behavior of polynomial functions, especially those of odd degree, is crucial in determining the presence of absolute extrema. Odd-degree polynomials, such as y = x¹¹ + x³ + x − 5, have end behaviors where one end goes to positive infinity and the other to negative infinity. This characteristic implies that such functions do not have absolute maxima or minima, as they do not level off at any finite value across their domain.
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