Quartic function - Definition

Polynomial of degree 4: f(x) = (x+4)(x+1)(x-1)(x-3)/14+0.5

A quartic function is a function of the form <math>f(x)=ax^4+bx^3+cx^2+dx+e<math> with nonzero a; or in other words, a polynomial function with a degree of four.

Since a quartic function is a polynomial of even degree, it has the same limit when the argument goes to positive or negative infinity. If a is positive, then the function increases to positive infinity at both sides; and thus the function has a global minimum. Likewise, if a is negative, it decreases to negative infinity and has a global maximum.

The derivative of a quartic function is a cubic function.

Finding Roots: See Quartic equation.