Task 1: Drawing Graphs Using the Graphics

Calculator
Duration: 15 minutes
Draw the following two graphs on your graphics calculator and
describe them fully by identifying the following:
a) Shape of the graph
b) x-intercepts and y-intercepts
c) Asymptotes
d) What happens to y when x?
e) What happens y when x-?
f) When is the graph increasing/decreasing?

Graph 1:
y=1 5 x 3 /4

Graph 2:
y=40 2 x/50

Task 2: Modelling Data Sets Using Excel

Duration: 30 minutes
Using Excel, model the following data sets in Question 1 and
Question 2.
Question 1
The pesticide DDT was widely used in the United States until its ban
in 1972. DDT is toxic to a wide range of animals and aquatic life,
and is suspected to cause cancer in humans. The half-life of DDT
can be 15 or more years. Half-life is the amount of time it takes for
half of the amount of a substance to decay. Scientists and
environmentalists worry about such substances because these
hazardous materials continue to be dangerous for many years after
their disposal. For this question, we will set the half-life of the
pesticide DDT to be 15 years. The data set below is based on the
examination of the half-life of 100 grams of DDT.
No. of years 15 30 45
Grams of
DDT
remaining

50 25

60

75

90

105

120

135

150

12. 6.2 3.12 1.562 0.7812 0.3906 0.19531 0.097656

5
5
5
5
5
25
25
25

1. Use excel to model the given data sets above and decide on the
best model. State your reasons.
2. Fully describe the graph. You will need to include:
a. shape of the graph
b. x-intercept and y-intercept
c. asymptotes
d. as x, y?
e. as x-, y?
f. when is the graph increasing/decreasing
3. After how many years will there be approximately 10 grams of DDT
remaining? How confident are you with your answer? Why?
4. Use the graph to estimate the grams of DDT remaining after 165
years. How confident are you with your answer? Why?

Question 2
Antelopes are native to Africa and Asia. They range in size from 12"
(30 cm. at the shoulder) pygmy antelopes to giant elands, which are
over 6 feet tall (180 cm) at the shoulder. Most antelopes are
between 3 to 4 feet tall (90-120 cm) at the shoulder. The horns of
antelopes, unlike the antlers of deer, are un-branched, are made of
a shell with a bony core, and are not shed. The majority of
antelopes reside in Africa.
The kudus antelope, shown here, relies on thickets (dense growth of
bushes or trees) for protection using his brown and striped coat as
camouflage.

The data below represents the length and mid-shaft diameters of

the humerus bones of African Antelopes.
Diamet
er
(mm)

17.6

26.0

31.9

38.9

45.8

51.2

58.1

64.7

66.7

80.8

82.9

Length
(mm)

159.
9

206.
9

236.
8

269.
9

300.
6

323.
6

351.
7

377.
6

384.
1

437.
2

444.7

1. Use excel to model the given data sets above and decide on the
best model. State your reasons.
2. Fully describe the graph. You will need to include:
a. shape of the graph
b. x-intercept and y-intercept
c. asymptotes
d. as x, y?
e. as x-, y?
f. when is the graph increasing/decreasing

3. What length will correspond to a diameter of 47 mm? How confident

are you with your answer? Why?
4. What length will correspond to a diameter of 84 mm? How confident
are you with your answer? Why?