Written Assignment Unit 3

University of the People

MATHS 1201-01 College Algebra – AY2025-T3
Instructor;- Pramila Bajpai
Date;- February 16, 2025.
Task 1. Imagine a scenario involving a bungee jumper leaping from a bridge, with the jumper's height
above the river surface modeled 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.

(i) Based on this scenario, answer the following questions that are related to the mathematical
understanding of the concept:

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

(b) What is the vertex of the given height function, h(t) = -0.5t2 + v0t + h0? What does the vertex
represent in this scenario?

(c) At what time does the bungee jumper reach maximum height and what is the maximum height?
Explain using the formula and scenario.

(d) At what time does the bungee jumper reach the height of 11m?

(e) What is the height after 20 seconds of the jump, and what does this situation represent?

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

(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

(b) By observing the graph, determine the time intervals in which the height is increasing or decreasing.

(c) Find the axis of symmetry on the graph and explain the above scenario using the axis of symmetry.

(d) What are the t and h intercepts on the axes here? What do they represent in this scenario

Solution

Let's examine and respond to each section of the query methodically:

The given formula is h(t)=−0.5t 2 +v 0 t+h 0. where h 0 = 210 metres and v 0 = 0 metres per second.

(a) h(t)'s Domain and Range

Domain: All potential values of t for which the function h(t) is defined are represented by the
domain. Time cannot be negative in this situation, because t stands for time in seconds. The
domain is therefore: Domain = [0,+∞).
Physical Significance: This indicates that we are taking into account the bungee jumper's height
from the time of their jump (t=0) forward.
Range: The collection of all potential values for h(t) is known as the range. Beginning at height h
(0 meters). Consequently, the range is: Range: [0,210]
Physical significance; the jumper's height above the river will change between 0 meters
(touching the water) and 210 meters (starting height)
 (b) The Height Function's vertex
A quadratic function of the type h(t)=−0.5t 2 +v 0 t+h 0 is the height function h(t). Using the
vertex formula for h(t)=at 2 +bt+c, we can determine the vertex of this quadratic function: t=−
2a b, given that b=0 and a=-0.5 in our equation t=−2(−0.5) 0 = 0
To determine h at this stage, enter t=0 once more into the height function: Since h(0) = -0.5(0) 2
+0(0) +210 = 210 the vertex is therefore at: Vertex = (0,210)
Physical Significance: The jumper's height at any given moment is represented by the vertex.0 =
210 meters, the jumper's height will drop until it touches the river's surface (t=0)
(c) The vertex calculation's time and maximum height: Maximum height reached in t=0 seconds
The highest point is 210 meters.
Justification: Since the initial velocity is zero, the maximum height is attained at the beginning of
the jump. When there is no initial upward velocity, gravity causes the height to start dropping
right away.
(d) Time Needed to Get to 11 Meters
We solve h(t)=11 to determine the moment at which the height is 11 meters: −0.5t 2 +0t + 210 =
11, we Solve this quadratic equation and simplify it:
−0.5t 2 +210 = 11
−0.5t 2 = 11−210
-0.5t 2 = -199
t 2 = 0.5 199 = 398
t = ± 398 ≈±19.9499373432600
But as the time it can't be negative, the pertinent answer is: t≈19.9499373432600
Physical Significance: The bungee jumper takes about 19.95 seconds to reach a height of 11
meters above the river
(e) After 20 seconds, height enter t=20 into the height function h(t) to determine the height after 20
seconds: 20 h = -0.5(20) 2 +0(20)+210
h(20)=-0.5(400)+210
h(20)=-200+210
h(20) = 10 m.
Physical Significance: The jumper is 10 meters over the river after 20 seconds. Twenty seconds
after the leap, this height indicates the jumper's position in relation to the river's surface.
(f) The bungee jumper will touch the river when h(t)=0. Solve:
−0.5t2+0t+210=0
−0.5t2=−210
t2=0.5210=420
t=±420≈±20.4939015319192
Again, considering only the positive time: t≈20.4939015319192
hysical Significance: The bungee jumper will touch the river surface approximately 20.49
seconds after jumping from the bridge.

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.
 (i) Optimal Route Planning: Determine the equation of the road that seamlessly connects
critical locations, Points A(5,7) and B(6,5).
(ii) Traffic Flow Analysis: Calculate the road's slope between A and B for efficient traffic design.
(iii) Enhanced Traffic Safety: Determine the changes in road elevation from A to B, focusing on
safety and convenience.
(iv) Alternate Routes Provision: Create parallel and perpendicular routes to offer commuters
diverse travel options.
(v) Visual Infrastructure Mapping: Create a graphical map of the road alignment for use in
planning and stakeholder presentations.
(vi) Access Points Identification: Locate intercepts on the x and y-axes, serving as vital road
access and landmarks.
(vii) In this situation how many parallel and perpendicular to the proposed road are possible?

Ans;

(i) The best way to plan your route is using the point-slope form of a linear equation, we can
find the equation of the road that connects Points A (5,7) and B (6,5): (y - y_1 = m(x - x_1)),
where (m) is the slope and ((x_1, y_1)) is a point on the line. When we swap out A and B's
coordinates, we get the formula y - 7 = \frac{-2}{1}(x - 5) by Simplifying, we obtain the road's
equation: (y = -2x + 17)
(ii) The road between A and B has a slope of -2 meters. This means that the road shrinks by two
units vertically for every unit of horizontal movement.
(iii) Road elevation changes from A to B can be calculated by calculating the difference in y-
coordinates: (5 - 7 = -2). This indicates that the road's height drops by 2 units from A to B.
(iv) We can use the road's slope to make parallel and perpendicular routes. We can use the
same slope (-2) for parallel routes and the negative reciprocal of the slope (\frac{1}{2}) for
perpendicular routes.
(v) The road equation, y = -2x + 17, can be used to generate a graphical map of the road
alignment.

(vi) By setting y = 0 and solving for x to find the x-intercept and setting x = 0 and solving for y to
find the y-intercept, one may discover the intercepts on the x and y-axes. Zero is equal to -
2x + 17.
2x is 17.
x = 8.5
This is the x-intercept: (8.5, 0). y-intercept is equal to -2(0) + 17.
y = 17.
This is the y-intercept: (0, 17)
 (vii) This allows for the creation of an infinite number of roads that are perpendicular to and
parallel to the intended road.

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.

(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.

Ans;

Creating a Linear Function for the Price of Electricity

(i) The following is a formulation of the linear function for the consumption-based power
pricing in Italy:
Let's:
(x) = the household's electricity consumption units;
(y) = the total electricity cost
There is a $50 set fee and an extra $0.78 for each unit of electricity used. Consequently, the
linear function can be written as follows:
[y = 50 + 0.78x]
(ii) The following formula can be used to determine the average rate at which the price of
electricity changes in relation to consumption:
[ \text{Change in Cost}}{\text{Change in Consumption}} = \frac{Average Rate of Change}]
The higher cost of $0.78 per unit of power used in this instance represents the difference in
cost. One unit of electricity is consumed differently. Consequently, $0.78 per unit is the
average rate at which the price of electricity changes in relation to use. This implies that the
customer's monthly bill will rise by $0.78 for every extra unit of electricity used

Reference

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

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