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3 FUNCTIONS AS MATHEMATICAL
MODELS
In applications of calculus, we need to express a real-
world situation in terms of a functional relationship,
called a mathematical model of the situation. This
section is designed to give you practice in obtaining
functions as mathematical models and at the same
time we will preview some of the applications you
will encounter later.
Although no one specific method is always used to
obtain a mathematical model, here are some steps
that give a possible procedure for you to follow. As
you read through the examples, refer to these steps
to see how they are applied.
Suggestions for Solving Problems Involving a
Function as a Mathematical Model
1. Read the problem carefully so that you understand
it. To gain understanding, it is often helpful to make
up a specific example that involves a similar situation
in which all the quantities are known. Another aid is
to draw a picture if feasible, as shown in Examples 4
and 5.
2. Determine the known and unknown quantities.
Use a symbol say x, for the independent variable, and
a symbol, say f, for the function you will obtain; the
f(x) symbolizes the function value. Because x and f(x)
are symbols for numbers their definitions should
indicate this fact. For example, if the independent
variable represents length and length is measured in
feet, then if x is the symbol for the variable, x should
be defined as the number of feet in the length or,
equivalently, x feet is the length.
3. Write down any numerical facts known about the
variable and the function value.
4. From the information in step 3, determine two
algebraic expressions for the same number, one in
terms of the variable and one in terms of the
function value. From these two expressions form an
equation that defines the function. You now have a
function as a mathematical model of the problem.
5. To complete the problem once you have applied
the mathematical model to solve for the unknown
quantities, write a conclusion, consisting of one or
more sentences, that answers the questions of the
problem. Be sure you conclusion contains the correct
units of measurement.
EXAMPLE 1 The volume of a gas having a constant
pressure in directly proportional to the absolute
temperature, and at a temperature of 175 the gas
occupies 100 m3. (a) Find a mathematical model
expressing volume as a function of temperature. (b)
What is the volume of the gas at a temperature of
140?
SOLUTION
(a) Let f(x) cubic meters be the volume of a gas
whose temperature is x degrees. Then by the
definition of directly proportional
f(x) = kx
where k is a constant. Because the volume of the gas
is 100m3 at a temperature of 175, we replace x by
175 and f(x) by 100 in (1) and obtain
100 = k(175)
k= 4
7
Substituting this value of k in (1), we have
f(x) = (140)
4
7
= 80
Conclusion: At a temperature of 140 the volume of
the gas is 80m3.
EXAMPLE 2 A wholesaler sells a product by the
pound (or fraction of a pound); if not more than 10
pounds are ordered, the wholesaler charges $2 per
pound. However, to invite large orders the wholesaler
charges only $1.80 per pound if more than 10 pounds
are ordered. (a) Find a mathematical model
expressing the total cost of the order as a function of
the amount of the product ordered. (b) Sketch the
graph of the function in part (a). (c) Determine the
total cost of an order of 9.5 lb and of an order of 10.5
lb.
SOLUTION
(a) Let C(x) dollars be the total cost of an order of x
pounds of the product. Then
C(x) = {2x if 0 x 10
{1.8x if 10 < x
(b) The graph of function C appears in Figure 1.
(c) C(x) is obtained from the equation C(x) = 2x when
0 x 10 and from the equation C(x) = 1.8x when 10
< x. Therefore,
C(9.5) = 2(9.5) C(10.5) = (1.8)(10.5)
= 19 = 18.90
= 50
Conclusion: Eleven weeks after the close of the
hunting season the predator for population is 50.
In Section 2.8 we will return to the situation in
Example 3 and determine the rate at which the
predator population is growing 11 weeks after the
close of the hunting season.
EXAMPLE 4 A cardboard box manufacturer wishes to
make open boxes from rectangular pieces of
cardboard with dimensions 10 in by 17 in. by cutting
equal squares from the four corners and turning up
the sides. (a) Find a mathematical model expressing
the volume of the box as a function of the length of
the side of the square cut out. (b) What is the
domain of the function obtained in part (a)? (c) On a
graphics calculator, find accurate to two decimal
places the length of the side of the square cut out so
that the box has the largest possible volume. What is
the maximum volume?
SOLUTION
(a) Let x inches be the length of the side of the
square cut out and V(x) cubic inches be the volume of
the box. Figure 2 represents a given piece cardboard
and Figure 3 represents the box obtained from the
cardboard. The number of inches in the dimensions
of the box are 10 2x, and 17 2x. Therefore,
V(x) = x(10 2x)(17 2x)
= 170x 54x2 + 4x3
S(r) = 120
+2 r 2
r
(b) To obtain the domain of S, we observe from the
equation defining S(r) that r cannot be 0.
Theoretically, however, r may be any positive number.
Therefore, the domain of S is (0, +).
(c) Figure 6 shows the graph of function S plotted in
the [0, 10] by [0, 200] window. The r coordinate of
the lowest point on the graph gives the radius for the
minimum total surface area. On our graphics
calculator we determine that the lowest point is
(2.12, 84.84).
= 4699.25
Conclusion: The rumor is being spread at the rate of
4699 people per hour when 500 people have heard
it.
(c) Figure 7 shows the graph of f plotted in the [0,
8000] by [0, 25,000] window. We determine that the
highest point on the graph occurs when x = 4000.
Conclusion: The rumor is being spread at the greatest
rate when 4000 people, half of the population, have
heard the rumor.
We will return to the situation in Example 6 in
Sections 3.2 and 7.4 to illustrate two different
applications of calculus. In Section 3.2, we will
confirm analytically the answer in part (c). Then in
Section 7.4, we will obtain a model expressing the
number of people who have heard the rumor as a
function of the length of time the rumor has been
spreading, so that we can determine how many
people have heard the rumor at any particular time.
You will also prove in Section 7.4 that the entire
population will eventually hear the rumor.