Institute of Technology of Cambodia Semester I, 2022-2023

Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics Date: 03 November, 2022

Chapter 2
The Modeling Process, Proportionality,
and Geometric Similarity (TD2)
2.1 Mathematical Model
2.2. Modeling Using Proportionality.
2.3 .Modeling Using Geometric Similarity.
Exercise in Class
1. Show graphically the meaning of the proportionality y ∝ u/v.
2. If a spring is stretched 0.37 in. by a 14-lb force, what stretch will be produced by a 9-lbforce?
By a 22-lb force? Assume Hooke’s law, which asserts that the distance stretched is proportional
to the force applied.
3. Determine whether the following data support a proportionality argument for y ∝ z 1/2 . If
so, estimate the slope.

y 3.5 5 6 7 8

z 3 6 9 12 15

4. Determine whether the data set supports the stated proportionality model.
a. Force ∝ Stretch
Force 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Stretch 19 57 94 134 173 216 256 297 343

b. y ∝ x3
y 19 25 32 51 57 71 113 141 123 187 192 205 252 259 294

x 17 19 20 22 23 25 28 31 32 33 36 37 38 39 41
5. Consider a 20 − lb pink flamingo that stands 3 ft in height and has legs that are 2 ft inlength.
Model the height and leg length of a 100 − lb flamingo. What assumptions are necessary? Are
they reasonable assumptions?
6. An object is sliding down a ramp inclined at an angle of θ radians and attains a terminal ve-
locity before reaching the bottom. Assume that the drag force caused by the air is proportional
to Sv 2 , where Sis the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the direction of motion and v is the
speed. Further assume that the sliding friction between the object and the ramp is proportional
to the normal weight of the object. Determine the relationship between the terminal velocity
and the mass of the object. If two different boxes, weighing 600 and 800lb, are pushed down
the ramp, find the relationship between their terminal velocities.

Dr. SIM Tepmony & Dr. LUEY Sokea Mathematical Modeling 1

Institute of Technology of Cambodia Semester I, 2022-2023
Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics Date: 03 November, 2022

Assignmet Deadline: 10-November, 2022.

1. Consider an automobile suspension system. Build a model that relates the stretch (or
compression) of the spring to the mass it supports. If possible, obtain a car spring and collect
data by measuring the change in spring size to the mass supported by the spring. Graphically
test your proportionality argument. If it is reasonable, find the constant of proportionality.
2.Research and prepare a 10-minute report on Hooke’s law.
3. Consider the models W ∝ l2 G and W ∝ g 3 . Interpret each of these models geometrically.
Explain how these two models differ from Models (2.11) and (2.13), respectively. In what
circumstances, if any, would the four models coincide? Which model do you think would do the
best job of predicting W ? Why? In Chapter 3 you will be asked to compare the four models
analytically.
a. Let A(x) denote a typical cross-sectional area of a bass, 0 ≤ x ≤ l, where l denotes the length
of the fish. Use the mean value theorem from calculus to show that the volume V of the fish is
given by
V = l.A
where A is the average value of A(x).
b. Assuming that A is proportional to the square of the girth g and that weight density for the
bass is constant, establish that
W ∝ lg 2
4. Heart Rate of Mammals—The following data relate the weights of some mammals to their
heart rate in beats per minute. Based on the discussion relating blood flow through the heart
to body weight, as presented in Project 2, construct a model that relates heart rate to body
weight. Discuss the assumptions of your model. Use the data to check your model.

Pulse rate
Mammal Body weight (g)
(beats/min)

Vespergo pipistrellas 4 660

Mouse 25 670
Rat 200 420
Guinea pig 300 300
Rabbit 2000 205
Little dog 5000 120
Big dog 30000 85
Sheep 50000 70
Man 70000 72
Horse 450000 38
Ox 500000 40
Elephant 3000000 48

5. Lumber Cutters—Lumber cutters wish to use readily available measurements to estimate

the number of board feet of lumber in a tree. Assume they measure the diameter of the tree in
inches at waist height. Develop a model that predicts board feet as a function of diameter in
inches. Use the following data for your test:

Dr. SIM Tepmony & Dr. LUEY Sokea Mathematical Modeling 2

Institute of Technology of Cambodia Semester I, 2022-2023
Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics Date: 03 November, 2022

x 17 19 20 23 25 28 32 38 39 41
y 19 25 32 57 71 113 123 252 259 294
The variable x is the diameter of a ponderosa pine in inches, and y is the number of board feet
divided by 10.
a. Consider two separate assumptions, allowing each to lead to a model. Completely analyze
each model.
(i.) Assume that all trees are right-circular cylinders and are approximately the same height.
(ii.) Assume that all trees are right-circular cylinders and that the height of the tree is
proportional to the diameter.
b. Which model appears to be better? Why? Justify your conclusions.

2.4. Automobile Gasoline Mileaga 17-November, 2022.

2.5 Body Weight and Height, Strength and Agility
Exercise in class
1. In the automobile gasoline mileage example, support yoy plot miles per gallon againt speed
as a graphical repersentaion of the general rule (insteasd of the graph depicted in Figure 2.7).
explain why it would be difficult to deduce a proportionality relationship from that graoh.

2. In the automobile gasoline mileage example, assume the drage forces are proportinal to
Sv, where S is the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the direction of the moving car and v is
its speed. what conclusions can you draw? Discuss the factors that might influence the choice
of Sv 2 over Sv for the drage forces submodel. How could you test the sumodel?
3. Describe in detai the data you would like to obtain to test the various submodels suporting
Model (2.21) ( in Text book page 102). How would you go about collection the data?
4. Tests exsit t measure the percentage of body fat. Assume that such tests are accurate and
that a great many carefully collected data are available. You may specify any other statistics,
such as waist size and height, that you would like collected. Explain how the data could be
arranged to check the assumptions underlying the submodels in this section. For example,
suppose the data for males between ages 17 and 21 with constant body fat and height are
examined. Explain how the assumption of constant density of the inner core could be checked.

Dr. SIM Tepmony & Dr. LUEY Sokea Mathematical Modeling 3

Institute of Technology of Cambodia Semester I, 2022-2023
Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics Date: 03 November, 2022

Assignmet Deadline: 24-November, 2022.

1. Discuss several factors that were completely ignored in our analysis of the gasoline mileage
problem.
2. A popular measure of physical condition and personal appearance is the pinch test. To
administer this test, you measure the thickness of the outer core at selected locations on the
body by pinching. Where and how should the pinch be made? What thickness of pinch should
be allowed? Should the pinch thickness be allowed to vary with height?
3. Consider an endurance test that measures only aerobic fitness. This teat could be a swim-
ming test, running test, or bike test. Assume that we want all competitors to do an equal
amount of work. Build a mathematical model that relates work done by the competitor to
some measurable characteristic, such as height or weight. Next consider a refinement using
kinetic energy in your model. Collect some data for one of these aerobic tests and determine
the reasonableness of these models.

Dr. SIM Tepmony & Dr. LUEY Sokea Mathematical Modeling 4