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Polynomials - I (Linear and Quadratic Functions)

Polynomials - I (Linear and Quadratic Functions)

Doris Emali

Instructor: Dr. Trushitkumar Patel

Course: MATH 1201-01 College Algebra - AY2025-T2

Date: 3rd December 2024

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Polynomials - I (Linear and Quadratic Functions)

Task 1. Imagine a scenario involving a bungee jumper leaping from a bridge, with the

jumper's height above the river surface modelled by the equation h(t) = -0.5t2 + v0t + h0

, where h is measured in meters, t is in seconds, v0 represents the jumper's initial

velocity in meters per second, and h0 is the initial height above the river. Given v0 = 0

m/sec and h0 = 210 meters.

(a) What is the domain and range of h(t)? What is the physical significance of
domain and range in this scenario?

The domain represents all possible values of (time) t. The jumper's domain is [0, T],

where T represents the amount of time it takes to reach the river. This shows the time

during which the jumper is in movement.

The range represents all possible value of height h (t) values. The range begins at a

starting point of 210 meters and ends at the height of the river (0 meters). The range is

[0,210], which represents the jumper's lowest and highest points.

(b) Vertex of the function

The vertex of a quadratic function is a significant point that indicates either the function's

maximum or minimum (Stitz & Zeager, 2013). In this case the bungee jumper’s height

function h(t) = -0.5t2 + v0t + h0, the vertex is very essential since it shows the jumper's

highest point during the jump. Therefore, the vertex of a quadratic function of this type

h(t) is (-v0/(-2(-0.5)), h(-v0/(-2(-0.5))) = (v0/1, h0+0.5(v0/1)2) = (0, 210)

The vertex of this function is (0, 210).

In this bungee jumping scenario, the vertex symbolizes the jumper's highest point, or

initial jump height. The vertex of the parabola is the greatest point on the graph due to its

downward opening (shown by the negative coefficient for t2). This means the jumper

starts at 210 meters above the river and descends from there.

(c)Time to Reach Maximum Height and Maximum Height

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Polynomials - I (Linear and Quadratic Functions)

To find the time at which bungee jumper reaches the maximum height we can us ethe

formula;

At t = v0/ (-2(-0.5)) = v0, substituting in the given value v0= om/sec, we find that the

bungee reaches the maximum height at 0 seconds. To find the maximum height, given by

h(v0) = -0.5(v0)2 + v0(v0) + h0 = h0 + 0.5v0^2. As a result of the jumper's zero initial

velocity, the maximum height is 210 meters and occurs at 0 seconds.

(d)Time to Reach a Height of 11 m

To find the time bungee jumper reaches an11-meter height given -0.5t2 + v0t + h0 = 11.

t = (-v0 ± square root (v0^2 - 4(-0.5)(h0 - 11)))/(2(-0.5). Adding in the given values of v0

= 0 m/s and h0 = 210 meters yields t = 21 seconds or t = -20.1 seconds. Because time

cannot be negative, the bungee jumper reaches a height of 11 metres after 20.1 seconds.

(e) Height after 20 seconds

To find the height of the bungee jumper after 20 seconds, we substitute 𝑡= Input t =20 into

the height function. ( ℎ𝑡) = − 0.5 𝑡2 + 210 h(t)=−0.5t 2 +210 We may use 𝑡= 20 and t =

20 to calculate the height after 20 seconds using the following function: ( 20 ) = − 0.5 ×

( 2 0 2 ) + 210 = − 0.5 × 400 + 210 = − 200 + 210 = 10 ℎmeters h(20)=−0.5×(20 ×

2)+210=−0.5×400+210=−200+210=10 meters. Therefore, the height after 20 seconds is

10 metres.

(f) When will the bungee jumper touch the river?

The bungee jumper will touch the river when h(t) = 0 or -0.5t2 + v0t + h0 = 0. We can use

the quadratic formula to solve for t. Therefore t = (-v0 ± square root (v0^2 - 4(-0.5) h0))/(-

2(-0.5). Given values of v0 = 0 m/sec and h0 = 210 meters yields t = 20.47 seconds or -
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Polynomials - I (Linear and Quadratic Functions)

20.47 seconds. Because time cannot be negative, the bungee jumper touches the river

20.47 seconds.

(ii) Based on that scenario, answer the following questions that related to the graphical

understanding of the concept:

(a) Draw the graph of the given height function, h(t) = -0.5t2 + v0t + h0

The horizontal dashed line indicates the level of the river (h = 0). The dashed vertical line

represents the time axis (t = 0). The unbroken horizontal line at 210 meters represents the

height at which the jumper begins (the point where the fall starts). This graph illustrates the

descent of the bungee jumper from the bridge at 210 meters and shows how his altitude

decreases over time due to gravity, ultimately reaching zero upon contacting the river..

(b) Time intervals of increasing and decreasing height

The graph shows that the height is consistently decreasing. The curve is a downward-

facing parabola, showing that the jumper is continuously falling due to gravity. There are

no intervals in which the height increases since the jumper's initial velocity is zero and he

is not bouncing.
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Polynomials - I (Linear and Quadratic Functions)

(c) Axis of symmetry

In this case, the axis symmetry for a quadratic function could be found using the formula;

t = - b 2a where a = -0.5 and b = v0 because v0 = 0 the axis of symmetry is defined as t = -

0 2(−0.5) = 0 hence the axis of symmetry = -0,0 or 0 In this bungee jumper scenario, the

axis of symmetry is at t=0, where the jumper begins to fall. Because the parabola is

downward facing, the graph is symmetric at this point. This signifies that the jumper

begins at the maximum height (210 meters) and gradually descends, with the height

diminishing as time passes.

(d) Intercepts on the axes

The h intercept is the point at which the graph meets the height (y) axis. This occurs when

t equals 0. Given the height function, we get; h(0) = -0.5× 0 2+ 210 = 210 This indicates

that the h intercept is at (0, 210). In this case, it reflects the jumper's initial height, which is

210 meters above the river. The t intercept is the point where the graph meets the time (x)

axis. This happens when h(t) = 0, which indicates that the jumper has reached the river's

surface. To determine this point, we solve for t. -0.5t 2+ 210 = 0 this will get us to -0.5t2=

−210→t 2= 420→ t ≈ ± √420 ≈ ± 20.49. Since time cannot be negative, the t-intercept is

at (20.49, 0). In this case, it represents the moment when the jumper contacts the river,

indicating the end of the jump.

Task 2. Imagine you are a city planner working on improving transportation routes

in a bustling metropolis. Your task is solving several geometric and graphical

challenges related to a proposed road project connecting linearly to different

locations. Solving these challenges contributes to an efficient urban transportation

network, benefiting residents and visitors alike.

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Polynomials - I (Linear and Quadratic Functions)

(i) Optimal route planning: Determine the equation of the road that seamlessly

connects critical locations, Points A(5,7) and B(6,5).

To determine the equation for the route that connects key locations A(5,7) and

B(6,5)

We calculate the slope:

Slope (m) = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)

m = (5 - 7) / (6 - 5) = -2 / 1 = -2

Using the slope intercept form of a linear equation (y = mx + b), we can find the

equation of the road:

y = -2x + b

To find the value of b, we can substitute the coordinates of one of the points (e.g.,

Point A) into the equation:

7 = -2(5) + b

7 = -10 + b

b = 17

Therefore, the equation of the road connecting Points A and B is:

y = -2x + 17

(ii) Traffic flow analysis

The slope of the road from points A and B based on our earlier calculations, the

slope is -2. This implies traffic flow efficiency. A negative slope denotes a

downward orientation, implying a descending path from A to B.

(iii) Enhanced traffic safety

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Polynomials - I (Linear and Quadratic Functions)

A negative slope of -2 signifies a drop in height from point A to point B. The total

change in elevation (y-coordinate) can be found by subtracting the y-coordinates:

y2 - y1 = 5 - 7 = -2. This signifies a decrease in elevation of 2 units, indicating a

slight decline from point A to point B.

(iv) Alternate route provision

Parallel roads have same slopes, while perpendicular routes have a slope that is the

negative reciprocal.

For the parallel road with the same slope (-2), the generic form would be;

𝑦= − 2 𝑥+ 𝑐 y=−2x+c

The slope of a perpendicular route is equal to the negative reciprocal of -2, or 1/2.

y= 1 x + c

(v) Visual infrastructure mapping

(vi) Access points identification

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Polynomials - I (Linear and Quadratic Functions)

To determine intercepts on the x and y axes, set y = 0 for x and x = 0 for y. The x-

intercept is (8.5, 0), while the y-intercept is (0, 17). Hence the y-intercept is at 17

(vii) Possibilities of parallel and perpendicular roads

By varying the y-intercept (c) without altering the slope, you can create an unlimited

number of parallel roads. The equation for parallel roads to the planned route, with a

slope of -2, can be represented as 𝑦= −2⋅𝑥+ 𝑐 where 𝑐 is the y-intercept of each

parallel road and can have any real value. Every value of 𝑐 corresponds to a distinct

parallel path.

Task 3. Globalpetrolprices.com is a website that compares utility bills for

households and businesses. It has been observed that Denmark, German and Italy have

the highest household electricity costs. Suppose Italy’s electricity pricing is as

follows: Each household bears a minimum of 50$ fixed charge and an

additional 0.78$ for each unit of electricity consumed by the household.

Based on the above scenario, please answer the following instructions:

(i) Formulate a linear function for the electricity pricing based on the

consumption. Please clearly define each variable.

The equation for the cost of electricity based on usage is: Total Cost = Fixed

Charge + (Variable Charge per Unit × Electricity Consumption). We will start by

determining the variables. Cost Total: The overall cost of electricity for a

household. Charge that is required for each household: $50. Charge per individual

unit of electricity: A supplementary fee of $0.78 applies to every unit consumed.

Energy Usage: The overall power utilized within the household. The equation for

electricity cost is: Total Cost = 50 + (0.78 × Amount of Electricity Used). The
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Polynomials - I (Linear and Quadratic Functions)

fixed fee is shown as the constant term of 50. The cost of additional units of

electricity is represented by the coefficient of 0.78.

(ii) How does the average rate of change in electricity price with consumption

impact a consumer's monthly bill? Answer by calculating the average rate of

change.

The rate at which power prices change based on consumption levels determines

how fluctuations in consumption affect the monthly cost of electricity. In order to

find the average rate of change, we start by finding the slope of the linear function

that shows the variable charge per unit. The slope of the linear function equation is

equal to the rate of change of the variable, in this instance being 0.78.

Consequently, the average price change for electricity increases by $0.78 for each

unit of power consumed.

In this case, the average rate of change is 0.78, which means that for each

additional unit of electricity consumed, the cost of electricity increases by $0.78.

Therefore, as the household consumes more units of electricity, the average rate of

change indicates how the monthly bill will increase accordingly.

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Polynomials - I (Linear and Quadratic Functions)

References

Yoshiwara, K. (2020). Modeling, functions and graphs. American Institute of Mathematics.

Retrieved from https://yoshiwarabooks.org/mfg/MFG.html

Stitz, C., & Zeager, J. (2013). College algebra. Stitz Zeager Open Source Mathematics.

Retrieved from https://stitz-zeager.com/szca07042013.pdf