Functions, Graphs and Mathematical Model: Lecture1: DC

Dr. M. M. Rahman

The development of calculus in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries was

motivated by the need to understand physical phenomena such as the waves, the
phases of the moon, the nature of light, and gravity.
One of the important themes in calculus is the analysis of relationships between
physical or mathematical quantities. Such relationships can be described in terms of
graphs, formulas, numerical data, or words.
In this lecture we will develop the concept of a “function,” which is the basic idea that
underlies almost all mathematical and physical relationships, regardless of the form in
which they are expressed. We will study properties of some of the most basic functions
that occur in calculus, including polynomials, trigonometric functions, inverse
trigonometric functions, exponential functions, and logarithmic functions.
DEFINITION OF A FUNCTION
In mathematics, a function is used to represent the dependence of one quantity upon
another. Many scientific laws and engineering principles describe how one quantity
depends on another. This idea was formalized in 1673 by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
who invented the term function to indicate the dependence of one quantity on another,
as described in the following definition.
If a variable y depends on a variable x in such a way that each value of x determines
exactly one value of y, then we say that y is a function of x.
Example: Determine whether or not each correspondence is a function.

Solution:
a) The correspondence is a function because each member of the domain corresponds
(is matched) to only one member of the range.
b) The correspondence is a function because each member of the domain corresponds
to only one member of the range, even though two members of the domain correspond
to 25.
c) The correspondence is not a function because one member of the domain, Chicago,
corresponds to two members of the range, the Cubs and the White Sox.
d) The correspondence is a function because each member of the domain corresponds
to only one member of the range, even though two members of the domain correspond
to Chicago.
Four common methods for representing functions are:
• Numerically by tables • Geometrically by graphs • Algebraically by formulas • Verbally
The method of representation often depends on how the function arises. For example:
Table 1.1

Table 1.1 shows the top qualifying speed S for the Indianapolis 500 auto race as a
function of the year t. There is exactly one value of S for each value of t.
Figure 1.1
Figure 1.1 is a graphical record of an earthquake recorded on a seismograph. The
graph describes the deflection D of the seismograph needle as a function of the time T
elapsed since the wave left the earthquake’s epicenter. There is exactly one value of D
for each value of T.
Some of the most familiar functions arise from formulas; for example, the formula C =
2πr expresses the perimeter C of a circle as a function of its radius r. There is exactly
one value of C for each value of r.
Sometimes functions are described in words. For example, Isaac Newton’s Law of
Universal Gravitation is often stated as follows: The gravitational force of attraction
between two bodies in the Universe is directly proportional to the product of their
masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This is
𝒎𝟏 𝒎𝟐
the verbal description of the formula 𝑭 = 𝑮
𝒓𝟐

in which F is the force of attraction, m1 and m2 are the masses, r is the distance
between them, and G is a constant. If the masses are constant, then the verbal
description defines F as a function of r. There is exactly one value of F for each
value of r.
In the mid-eighteenth century the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler
(pronounced “oiler”) conceived the idea of denoting functions by letters of the alphabet,
thereby making it possible to refer to functions without stating specific formulas, graphs,
or tables. To understand Euler’s idea, think of a function as a computer program that
takes an input x, operates on it in some way, and produces exactly one output y. The
computer program is an object in its own right, so we can give it a name, say f. Thus,
the function f (the computer program) associates a unique output y with each input x
(Figure 1.2). This suggests the following definition.
A function f is a rule that associates a unique output with each input. If the input is
denoted by x, then the output is denoted by f (x) (read “f of x”).
 Figure 1.2

Figure 1.3

In this definition the term unique means “exactly one.” Thus, a function cannot assign
two different outputs to the same input. For example, Figure 1.3 shows a plot of
weight versus age for a random sample of 100 college students. This plot does not
describe W as a function of A because there are some values of A with more than one
corresponding value of W. This is to be expected, since two people with the same age
can have different weights.
MATHEMATICAL MODELING
A mathematical model is a mathematical description of a real situation. In this course
we consider models that are functions. Modeling almost always involves some
simplification of reality. We choose which variables to include and which to ignore.
Example: The graph below shows participation by females in high school sports from
2000 to 2009.

Use the model 𝑁 = 0.042𝑡 + 2.71, where t is the number of years after 2000 and N is
the number of participants, in millions, to predict the number of female high school
participants in 2012.
Solution: Since 2012 is 12 years after 2000, we substitute 12 for t:
𝑁 = 0.042𝑡 + 2.71 = 0.042(12) + 2.71 = 3.214
According to this model, in 2012, approximately 3.21 million females will participate in
high school sports.
INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT VARIABLES
For a given input x, the output of a function f is called the value of f at x or the image of
x under f. Sometimes we will want to denote the output by a single letter, say y, and
write y = f(x).
This equation expresses y as a function of x; the variable x is called the independent
variable (or argument) of f, and the variable y is called the dependent variable of f. This
terminology is intended to suggest that x is free to vary, but that once x has a specific
value a corresponding value of y is determined. For now, we will only consider functions
in which the independent and dependent variables are real numbers, in which case we
say that f is a real-valued function of a real variable.
The vertical line test: A curve in the 𝑥𝑦-plane is the graph of some function 𝑓 if and
only if no vertical line intersects the curve more than once. This curve cannot be the
graph of a function.

Example: The graph of the equation 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 25 is a circle of radius 5 centered at

the origin and hence there are vertical lines that cut the graph more than once. Thus,
this equation does not define 𝑦 as a function of 𝑥.
In mathematics, a piecewise-defined function is a function which is defined by multiple
sub functions, each sub function applying to a certain interval of the main function's
domain (a sub-domain).
Example:

Example: Increasing the speed at which air moves over a person’s skin increases the
rate of moisture evaporation and makes the person feel cooler. (This is why we fan
ourselves in hot weather). The wind chill index is the temperature at a wind speed of 4
mi/h that would produce the same sensation on exposed skin as the current
temperature and wind speed combination. An empirical formula (i.e., a formula based
on experimental data) for the wind chill index W at 32◦F for a wind speed of v mi/h is
32, 0≤𝑣≤3
𝑊={ 0.16
55.628 − 22.07𝑣 , 3 < 𝑣
A computer-generated graph of W(v) is shown below:
POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS
Linear and quadratic functions are part of a general class of polynomial functions.
A polynomial function is given by 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑛 + 𝑎𝑛−1 𝑥 𝑛−1 + ⋯ + 𝑎2 𝑥 2 + 𝑎1 𝑥 + 𝑎0
where n is a nonnegative integer and 𝑎𝑛 , 𝑎𝑛−1 , ⋯ 𝑎1 , 𝑎0 are real numbers, called
the coefficients.
When a polynomial is expressed in one of these forms, the highest power of x that
occurs with a nonzero coefficient is called the degree of the polynomial. Nonzero
constant polynomials are considered to have degree 0, since we can write c = cx0.
Polynomials of degree 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are described as linear, quadratic, cubic, quartic,
and quintic, respectively.
APPLICATIONS OF POLYNOMIAL FUNCTIONS
Many applications are modeled by Polynomial functions.
Example The solid waste generated each year in the cities of the US is increasing. The
solid waste generated, in millions of tons, was 238.3 in 2000 and 251.3 in 2006.
(a) Assuming that the amount of solid waste generated by US cities is a linear function
of time, find a formula for this function by finding the equation of the line through these
two points.
(b) Use this formula to predict the amount of solid waste generated in the year 2020.
Solution: (a) We think of the amount of solid waste, W, as a function of year, t, and the
two points are
(2000, 238.3) and (2006, 251.3). The slope of the line is
251.3−238.3 13
𝑚= = = 2.167 million tons/year.
2006−2000 6

We use the point-slope form to find the equation of the line. We substitute the point
(2000, 238.3) and the slope m = 2.167 into the equation:
W − W0 = m (t − t0)
W − 238.3 = 2.167(t − 2000)
W − 238.3 = 2.167t − 4334
W = 2.167t − 4095.7.
The equation of the line is W = 2.167t−4095.7. Alternatively, we could use the slope-
intercept form of a line to find the vertical intercept.
(b) To calculate solid waste predicted for the year 2020, we substitute t = 2020 into the
equation of the line, W = −4095.7 + 2.167t, and calculate W:
W = −4095.7 + 2.167(2020) = 281.64.
The formula predicts that in the year 2020, there will be 281.64 million tons of solid
waste.
Example:
The volume of a spherical cancerous tumor is given by the function
4
V (r ) =  r3
3
Where r is the radius of the tumor in centimeters. By what factor is the volume of the
tumor increased if its radius is doubled?
Example:
The number of living Americans who have had a cancer diagnosis has increased
drastically since 1971. In part, this is due to more testing for cancer and better treatment
for some cancers. In part, it is because the population is older, and cancer is largely a
disease of the elderly. The number of cancer survivors (in millions) between 1975 (t = 0)
and 2000 (t = 25) is approximately
N (t ) = 0.0031t 2 + 0.16t + 3.6 (0  t  25)

(a) How many living Americans had a cancer diagnosis in 1975? In 2000?
(b) Assume the trend continued, how many cancer survivors were there in 2005?
(c) Assume the trend continued, how many cancer survivors will there in 2015?
Example:
As health-care costs increase, payers are turning to technology and out sourced
services to keep a lid on expenses. The amount of health-care IT spending by payer is
projected to be
S (t ) = −0.03t 3 + 0.2t 2 + 0.23t + 5.6 (0  t  4)

Where S(t) measured in billions of dollars and t is measured in years, with t = 0

corresponding to 2004. What was the amount spent by payers on health-care IT in
2004? Assuming the projection held true, what amount was spent by payers in 2008?
Example:
More and more businesses and homeowners are installing solar panels on their roofs to
draw energy from the sun’s rays. According to the U.S. department of energy the solar
cell kilowatt-hour uses in the united states (in millions) is projected to be
S (t ) = 0.73t 2 + 15.8t + 2.7 ( 0  t  8)

In year t, with t = 0 corresponding to 2000. What was the projected solar cell kilowatt-
hours used in the United States for 2006? For 2007?
Example:
Suppose that the weight of a tumor prior to treatment is given by the function
W (t ) = 5t 2

Where the weight W(t) is in milligrams and the time t is in weeks.

(a) Find the weight of the tumor after 5 weeks.
(b) Find the weight of the tumor after 10 weeks.
Example:
Thermomaster manufactures an indoor-outdoor thermometer at its Mexican subsidiary.
Management estimates that the profit (in dollars) realizable by thermomaster in the
manufacture and sale of x thermometers per week is
P ( x ) = −0.001x2 + 8x − 5000

Find thermomaster’s weekly profit if its level of production is (a) 1000 thermomasters
per week and (b) 2000 thermomasters per week.
Example:
The United States is not building many nuclear plants, but the ones it has are running
full tilt. The output (as a percent of total capacity) of nuclear plants is described by the
equation
y = 1.9467t + 70.082
Where t is measured in years with t = 0 corresponding to the beginning of 1990.
(a) Sketch the line with the given equation
(b) What are the slope and the y-intercept of the line found in part (a)
(c) Give an interpretation of the slope and the y-intercept of the line found in part (a)
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS
A function that can be expressed as a ratio of two polynomials is called a rational
function. If P (x) and Q(x) are polynomials, then the domain of the rational function f (x)
= P (x)/Q(x)

APPLICATIONS OF RATIONAL FUNCTIONS

Example:
A medical research experiment established that the mass M(t) of a tumor as a function
of the length of time t that a patient is exposed to radiation during treatment is given by
t 2 − 5t + 6
M(t ) =
t −3
Where M(t) is in milligrams and t is in seconds. Due to a malfunction in the equipment
being used, it is impossible to expose the patient for exactly 3 seconds of radiation
therapy. What value should M(3) be assigned so that M(t) is continuous function?

EXPONENTIAL GROWTH AND DECAY FUNCTIONS

Many quantities in nature change according to an exponential growth or decay function
of the form P = P0ekt, where P0 is the initial quantity and k is the continuous growth or
decay rate.
Consider the following graph. The rapid growth of the graph indicates that it
approximates an exponential function. We now consider such functions and many of
their applications.
An exponential function f is given by 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 𝑥 where x is any real number, 𝑎 > 0 and
𝑎 ≠ 1. The number a is called the base.
The following are examples of exponential functions:
1 𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 , 𝑓(𝑥) = ( ) , 𝑓(𝑥) = (0.4)𝑥
2

Note that in contrast to power functions like 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 and 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 an exponential
function has the variable in the exponent, not as the base. Exponential functions have
countless applications.
1. The function given by 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 𝑥 with 𝑎 > 1, is a positive, increasing, continuous
function. As x gets smaller, 𝑎 𝑥 approaches 0. The graph is concave up, and the x-axis is
the horizontal asymptote.
2. The function given by 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 𝑥 with 0 < 𝑎 < 1, is a positive, decreasing, continuous
function. As x gets larger, 𝑎 𝑥 approaches 0. The graph is concave up, and the x-axis is
the horizontal asymptote.

Elimination of a Drug from the Body

APPLICATIONS OF EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Example:
A satellite that requires 7 watts of power to operate at full capacity is equipped with a
radioisotope power supply whose power output P in watts is given by the equation
𝑃 = 75𝑒 −𝑡⁄125
where t is the time in days that the supply is used. How long can the satellite operate at
full capacity?
Solution. The power P will fall to 7 watts when
7 = 75𝑒 −𝑡⁄125
The solution for t is as follows:
7/75 = e−t/125
ln (7/75) = ln(e−t/125)
ln(7/75) = −t/125
t = −125 ln(7/75) ≈ 296.4
so, the satellite can operate at full capacity for about 296 days.
Here is a more complicated example
Example:
During the early 1970’s the annual worldwide rate of oil consumption was
R (t ) = 16.1e0.07t

Billion barrels of oil per year, where t is the number of years since the beginning of
1970. Determine the amount of oil consumed from 1972 to 1974.
Example:
Based on data compiled by WHO, the number of people living with HIV worldwide from
1985 through 2006 is estimated to be
39.88
N (t ) = (0  t  21)
1 + 18.94 e−0.2957t
Where N(t) is measured in millions and t in years with t = 0 corresponding to the
beginning of 1985.
(a) How many people were living with HIV world-wide at the beginning of 1985? at the
beginning of 2005? at the beginning of 2008?
(b) Assuming that the trend continued, how many people were living with HIV world-
wide at the beginning of 2015?
Example:
The number of Internet users in China is projected to be
N (t ) = 94.5e0.2t (1  t  6)

Where N(t) is measured in millions and t is measured in years with t = 1 corresponding

to 2005.
(a) How many Internet users were there in 2005? in 2006? in 2010?
(b) Assuming that the trend continued, how many Internet users are there expected to
be in 2015?
Example:
The height (in feet) of a certain kind of tree is approximated by
160
h (t ) =
1 + 240 e−0.2t
Where t is the age of the tree in years. Estimate the age of an 80 ft tree.
Example:
Based on data obtained from the census Bureau, the number of Americans over age
100 years is expected to be
P (t ) = 0.07 e0.54t ( 0  t  4)
Where P(t) is measured in millions and t is measured in decades, with t = 0
corresponding to the beginning of 2000. What was the population of Americans over
age 100 years at the beginning of 2000? What will it be at the beginning of 2030?
Example:
Before 1950 little was known about strokes. By 1960, however, risk factors such as
hypertension were identified. In recent years CAT scans used as a diagnostic tool have
helped prevent strokes. As a result, death due to strokes have fallen dramatically. The
function

N ( t ) = 130.7 e−0.1155t + 50 ( 0  t  6)
2

gives the number of deaths per 100,000 people from 1950 through 2010, where t is
measured in decades with t = 0 corresponding to 1950. How many deaths due to
strokes per 100,000 people were there in 1950? in 2006? in 2010?
LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS
A logarithm is defined as follows:
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑎 𝑥 = 𝑦 means 𝑎 𝑦 = 𝑥, 𝑎 > 1, 𝑎 ≠ 1
The number 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑎 𝑥 is the power y to which we raise a to get x. The number a is called
the logarithmic base. We read as “the logarithm, base a, of x.”
EXAMPLE: Graph: 𝑦 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔2 𝑥
Solution: We first write the equivalent exponential equation: 2𝑦 = 𝑥. We select values
for y and find the corresponding values of 2𝑦 .Then we plot points, remembering that x is
still the first coordinate, and connect the points with a smooth curve.
APPLICATIONS OF LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS
Example:
Yahoo! is putting more emphasis on western Europe, where the number of online
households is expected to grow steadily. In a study conducted in 2004, the number of
online households (in millions) in western Europe was projected to be
N (t ) = 34.68 + 23.88ln (1.05t + 5.3) ( 0  t  2)
Where t corresponds to the beginning of 2004.
(a) What was the projected number of online households in western Europe at the
beginning of 2005?
(b) How fast was the projected number of online households in western Europe
increasing at the beginning of 2005?
COST FUNCTION
The cost function, C(q), gives the total cost of producing a quantity q of some goods.
Example: Manufacturing Costs
Let’s consider a company that makes radios. The factory and machinery needed to
begin production are fixed costs, which are incurred even if no radios are made. The
costs of labor and raw materials are variable costs since these quantities depend on
how many radios are made. The fixed costs for this company are $24,000 and the
variable costs are $7 per radio. Then,
Total costs for the company = Fixed costs + Variable costs
= 24,000 + 7 · Number of radios,
so, if q is the number of radios produced,
C(q) = 24,000 + 7q.
This is the equation of a line with slope 7 and vertical intercept 24,000.
Example: Graph the cost function C(q) = 24,000 + 7q. Label the fixed costs and
marginal cost.
Solution The graph of C(q) is the line in Figure below. The fixed costs are represented
by the vertical intercept of 24,000. The marginal cost is represented by the slope of 7,
which is the change in cost corresponding to a unit change in production.

Figure: Cost function for the radio manufacturer

If C(q) is a linear cost function,
• Fixed costs are represented by the vertical intercept.
• Marginal cost is represented by the slope.
REVENUE FUNCTION
The revenue function, R(q), gives the total revenue received by a firm from selling a
quantity, q, of some goods.
If the goods sell for a price of p per unit, and the quantity sold is q, then
Revenue = Price x Quantity, so R = pq.
If the price does not depend on the quantity sold, so p is a constant, the graph of
revenue as a function of q is a line through the origin, with slope equal to the price p.
Example: If radios sell for $15 each, sketch the manufacturer’s revenue function. Show
the price of a radio on the graph.
Solution: Since R(q) = pq = 15q, the revenue graph is a line through the origin with a
slope of 15. See Figure below. The price is the slope of the line.
 Figure: Revenue function for the radio manufacturer
Profit Function
Profit is the difference between the revenue and the costs. A profit function is a
relationship that shows the difference produced by taking the cost function from the
revenue function. The graph of a profit function can show the best combination of the
revenue and costs so the maximum amount of profit can be produced.
SUPPLY FUNCTION
A supply function is a mathematical expression of the relationship between quantity
demanded of a product or service, its price and other associated factors such as input
costs, prices of related goods, etc. For example, in general the supply and market price
are inversely related.
A supply function has single dependent variable (i.e. the quantity supplied) and many
independent variables i.e. market price, price of related goods, input costs, etc. A supply
equation can be formulated by studying the relationship between supply (the dependent
variable) and the independent variables and determining whether the relationship is
positively-related or negatively-related. For example, in general the supply and market
price are inversely related. On the other hand, supply and technological progress are
inversely related, i.e. better technology means more supply, etc.
A supply function can be used to find out the expected quantities of a product which will
enter the market if we know the market price, input costs and other variables. If we have
a demand function and supply function for a market, we can solve them to find out the
equilibrium price (i.e. the market clearing price) and the equilibrium quantity.
EXAMPLE: Raggs, Ltd., a clothing firm, has fixed costs of $10,000 per year. These
costs, such as rent, maintenance, and so on, must be paid no matter how much the
company produces. To produce x units of a certain kind of suit, it costs $20 per suit
(unit) in addition to the fixed costs. That is, the variable costs for producing x of these
suits are dollars. These costs are due to the amount produced and stem from items
such as material, wages, fuel, and so on. The total cost C(x) of producing x suits in a
year is given by a function C:
𝐶(𝑥) = (Variable costs) + (Fixed costs) = 20𝑥 + 10,000.
a) Graph the variable-cost, the fixed-cost, and the total-cost functions.
b) What is the total cost of producing 100 suits? 400 suits?
Solution:
a) The variable-cost and fixed-cost functions appear in the graph on the left below. The
total-cost function is shown in the graph on the right. From a practical standpoint, the
domains of these functions are nonnegative integers 0, 1, 2, 3, and so on, since it does
not make sense to make either a negative number or a fractional number of suits. It is
common practice to draw the graphs as though the domains were the entire set of
nonnegative real numbers.
b) The total cost of producing 100 suits is 𝐶(100) = 20.100 + 10,000 = $12,000.
The total cost of producing 400 suits is 𝐶(400) = 20.400 + 10,000 = $18,000.
EXAMPLE: Profit-and-Loss Analysis. When a business sells an item, it receives the
price paid by the consumer (this is normally greater than the cost to the business of
producing the item).
a) The total revenue that a business receives is the product of the number of items sold
and the price paid per item. Thus, if Raggs, Ltd., sells x suits at $80 per suit, the total
revenue R(x), in dollars, is given by 𝑅(𝑥) = Unit price. Quantity sold = 80𝑥
If 𝐶(𝑥) = 20𝑥 + 10,000, graph R and C using the same set of axes.
b) The total profit that a business receives is the amount left after all costs have been
subtracted from the total revenue. Thus, if P(x) represents the total profit when x items
are produced and sold, we have
𝑃(𝑥) = (𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑒) − (𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑠) = 𝑅(𝑥) − 𝐶(𝑥)
Determine and draw its graph using the same set of axes as was used for the graph in
part (a).
c) The company will break even at that value of x for which (that is, no profit and no
loss). This is the point at which Find the break-even value of x.
Solution
a) The graphs of R(x) = 80x and C(x) = 20x+10,000are shown below. When C(x) is
above a loss will occur. This is shown by the region shaded red. When R(x) is above a
gain will occur. This is shown by the region shaded gray.

b) To find P, the profit function, we have

𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑅(𝑥) − 𝐶(𝑥) = 80𝑥 − (20𝑥 + 10,000) = 60𝑥 − 10,000
The graph of is shown by the heavy line. The red portion of the line shows a “negative”
profit, or loss. The black portion of the heavy line shows a “positive” profit, or gain.
Example:
Suppose Panasonic, a manufacturer of water filters, has a monthly fixed cost of $10,000
and a variable cost of −0.0001𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 (0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 40,000) dollars, where 𝑥 denotes the
number of units manufactured per month.
(i) Find a function C that gives the total cost incurred by the company in the
manufacture of 𝑥 filters.
(ii) Suppose the total revenue realized by the Panasonic from the sale of 𝑥 water
filters are given by the total revenue function
𝑅(𝑥) = −0.0005𝑥 2 + 20𝑥 (0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 40,000)
a) Find the total profit function.
b) What is the profit when the level of production is 10,000 filters per month?
Solution:
(i) 𝐶(𝑥) = 𝑉(𝑥) + 𝑟(𝑥) = −0.0001𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 + 10,000 (0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 40,000)
(ii)
a) 𝑃(𝑥) = 𝑅(𝑥) − 𝐶(𝑥) = −0.0004𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 − 10,000
b) 𝑃(10,000) = 50,000
$50,000 per month.
Example:
Consider a manufacturer of animal feed whose fixed cost is $2000 per week. It costs
$0.50 to produce 1 kilogram of feed.
(a) Write the weekly cost function.
(b) Suppose the feed manufacturer sells the feed for $0.75 per kilogram. Write the
weekly revenue and profit functions. Assume that all feed produced is sold.
(c) Determine the break-even point for the animal feed manufacturer.
Example:
In maintaining a production level of x units a day, a manufacturer has fixed daily costs of
$5000 and variable costs of 80x-x2 dollars per day. The manufacturer sells all units
produced at $30 each.
(a) Find the daily costs functions and revenue function.
(b) Determine the break-even point.
POST OFFICE FUNCTION:
39 𝑖𝑓 0 < 𝑥 ≤ 1
63 𝑖𝑓 1 < 𝑥 ≤ 2
The post office function 𝐶 = 𝑓(𝑥) = { gives the cost C (in Tk.) of
87 𝑖𝑓 2 < 𝑥 ≤ 3
111 𝑖𝑓 3 < 𝑥 ≤ 4
mailing, first class, an item of weight x (ounces), for 0 < 𝑥 ≤ 4, in July 2006.
The graph of the function is:

It is clear from the graph that 𝑓 has discontinuities at 1, 2, and 3 and is constant for
values of x between successive discontinuities. Such a function is called a step function
because of the appearance of its graph.
Example:
A heating oil distributor has set the following price schedule, $ 1.30 per gallon for 100 or
fewer gallons; $1.15 per gallon for more than 100 but no more than 150 gallons; $1.00
per gallon for more than 150 but fewer than 200 gallons; $0.85 per gallon for 200 or
more gallons.
(a) Determine the function C(x) that gives the cost ($) for purchasing x gallons of
heating oil.
(b) Sketch the graph of C(x)
(c) Find all points if any, where C(x) is discontinuous.
Example1: The graph of the function 𝑓 is shown in Figure below:
(a) Find the value of 𝑓(1) and 𝑓(5)
(b) What is the domain and range of 𝑓
Solution:
(a) 𝑓(1) = 3 and 𝑓(5) = −0.7

(b) We see that 𝑓(𝑥) is defined when

0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 7, so, the domain of 𝑓 is [0, 7].

Notice that 𝑓 takes on all values from -2 to 4, so the range of 𝑓 is [−2, 4].
 Interval Sign of 𝑥 − 3 Sign of 𝑥 − 2 (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 2)
𝑥<2 − − +
2<𝑥<3 − + −
𝑥>3 + + +

Also, (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 2) = 0 if 𝑥 = 3 or 𝑥 = 2. Therefore,

DOMAINS AND RANGES IN APPLICATIONS
Example
An open box is to be made from a rectangular piece of cardboard 16 inches long and 10
inches wide by cutting away identical squares (𝑥 by 𝑥 inches) from each corner and
folding up the resulting flaps. Find an expression giving the volume 𝑉 of the box as a
function of 𝑥. What is the domain of the function?
Solution: The dimensions of the box are (16 − 2𝑥) inches long, (10 − 2𝑥) inches wide,
and 𝑥 inches high, so that its volume (in 3) is given by
𝑉 = 𝑓(𝑥) = (16 − 2𝑥)(10 − 2𝑥)𝑥
= (160 − 52𝑥 + 4𝑥 2 )𝑥
= 4𝑥 3 − 52𝑥 2 + 160𝑥
Since each side of the box must have length greater than or equal to zero, we see that
16 − 2𝑥 ≥ 0, 10 − 2𝑥 ≥ 0 and 𝑥 ≥ 0
∴ 𝑥 ≤ 8, 𝑥 ≤ 5 and 𝑥 ≥ 0
All three inequalities are satisfied simultaneously provided 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5. Thus, the domain
of the function 𝑓 is the interval [0, 5].
PRACTICE PROBLEMS:
1. Determine the domain and range of 𝑦 = √𝑥 + 1 + 3. (Explain with reasons)
Answer: Domain = {𝑥 ∶ 𝑥 ≥ −1} = [−1, +∞), Range = {𝑦 ∶ 𝑦 ≥ 3} = [3, +∞).
2. Find the domain and range of the relation {(𝑥, 𝑦): 2𝑦 < 14}.
Answer: Domain = (−∞, +∞), Range = (−∞, 7).
3. Find the natural domain and determine the range of each function.
1
(a) 𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑥−3

Answer: Natural domain = (−∞, 3) ∪ (3, +∞) and Range = (−∞, 0) ∪ (0, +∞).
𝑥
(b) 𝐹(𝑥) = |𝑥|

Answer: Natural domain = (−∞, 0) ∪ (0, +∞) and Range = {−1,1}.

(c) 𝐺(𝑥) = √𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 5
Answer: Natural domain = all 𝑥 and Range = {y:𝑦 ≥ 2}.
𝑥 2 −4
(d) 𝐻(𝑥) = √
𝑥−2

Hints for (d)

(e) 𝐹(𝑥) = √4 − 𝑥 2 .
Answer: Natural domain= −2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2, Range= 0 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 2.
(f) Find the domain and range of a function illustrated in the following graph:

4. Find the domain and range of the function defined by

3𝑥 − 2 if 𝑥 < 1
(a) 𝑦={
𝑥 2 if 1 ≤ 𝑥
𝑥 − 1 if 𝑥 < 3
(b) 𝑦={
2𝑥 + 1 if 3 ≤ 𝑥
 𝑥 + 3 when 𝑥 ≠ 3
(c) 𝑦={
2 when 𝑥 = 3
5. Find domain and range for the following functions:
(a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 16⁄𝑥 − 4
Answer: Domain= ℝ − {4}, Range= ℝ − {8}.
(b) 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 2
Answer: Domain= ℝ , Range {y: 𝑦 ≥ −5}.

(c) 𝑓(𝑡) = 1⁄𝑡 2 − 4

1
Answer: Domain= ℝ − {−2,2} , Range= (−∞, − ] ∪ (0, ∞).
4

6. Suppose the weekly demand function for large pizzas at a local pizza shop is
𝑞
𝑝 = 26 −
24
(a) If the current price is $18.50 per pizza, how many pizzas are sold each week?
(b) If 200 pizzas are sold each week, what is the current price?
(c) If the owner wants to double the number of large pizzas sold each week (to 400),
what should the price be?
7. Suppose the yearly demand function for a particular actor to star in a film is
1,200,000
𝑝= , where q is the number of films he stars in during the year. If the actor
𝑞

currently charges $600,000 per film, how many films does he star in each year? If he
wants to star in four films per year, what should his price be?
8. Apollo, Inc. manufactures its electronic correcting typewriters at a variable cost of
𝑉(𝑥) = 0.000003𝑥 3 − 0.03𝑥 2 + 200𝑥 dollars, where 𝑥 denotes the number of units
manufactured per month. The monthly fixed cost attributable to the division of the
company that produces those typewriters is $100,000.
a) Find a function C that gives the total cost incurred by the manufacture of
𝑥 typewriters. What is the total cost incurred in producing 2000 units per month?
b) Suppose the total revenue realized by Apollo, Inc. from the sale of 𝑥 typewriters
are given by the total revenue function, 𝑅(𝑥) = −0.1𝑥 2 + 500𝑥 (0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5000)
dollars.
(i) Find the total profit function.
(ii) What is the profit when 1500 units are produced and sold each month?