Function Models

1.9 and Applications

Practice Set 4

Problems 1 − 3, express a rational function that describes the scenario.

1. A large mixing tank contains 250 gallons of a solution, into which 15 pounds of salt have been
mixed. A faucet will be opened to allow additional solution to be pumped into the tank at a rate
of 15 gallons per minute. At the same time salt is poured into the tank at a rate of 3 pounds per
minute. Write an equation 𝐶𝐶(𝑡𝑡) that represents the concentration (pounds per gallon) of salt in
the tank after 𝑡𝑡 minutes.
15
+
38
CHI
--
=
258 + 159
2. A rectangular box with a square base will have a volume of 20 cubic feet. The material for the top
and the base costs $.25 per square foot. The material for the sides cost $.10 per square foot. Let
𝑥𝑥 = the length of the side of the base. Write an equation 𝐶𝐶(𝑥𝑥) that would represent the cost of the
box.

(()
=

0 .

5x2 +

*
3. An oil storage tank in the shape of a right circular cylinder has a volume of 55 gallons. Write an
equation in terms of the radius, 𝑟𝑟, that represents the surface area 𝐴𝐴(𝑟𝑟). Note that the tank will
have both a top and bottom to seal the container when filled with oil.

AG1= CA +/IOr
Problems 4-11, answer each question.

4. A power plant burns coal for generating electricity. The cost of removing 𝑝𝑝𝑝 of pollutants from
52000𝑝𝑝
the smokestack emissions, 𝐶𝐶(𝑝𝑝) is given by 𝐶𝐶 𝑝𝑝 = 100−𝑝𝑝 . The plant currently removes 70% of
the pollutants. A new law will require 85% of the pollutants must be removed. How much more
will the power plant spend to meet the new requirements?

(10-7) =
366 0445.

,
8:366 6 79 .
·

. 2
(8 85) .
=

445 8.

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5. The concentration C , in milligrams per liter, of an antibiotic in a patient’s bloodstream t hours
60𝑡𝑡
after injection is given by 𝐶𝐶 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑡𝑡 2 +25.
A. What happens to the concentration of the drug as t increases? Think about end behavior.
As the time increases
,
the concentration decreases .

B. Sketch the function from 𝑡𝑡 = 0 to 𝑡𝑡 = 20 in the

grid provided at right.

C. Use your calculator to determine the time at

which the concentration is highest. ↳

when the t equals -

to 5 .

6. The daily cost C of manufacturing electric scooters is given by 𝐶𝐶 𝑥𝑥 = 95𝑥𝑥 + 5400. The average
95𝑥𝑥+5400
daily cost 𝐶𝐶̅ is given by 𝐶𝐶̅ 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑥𝑥
. How many scooters must be produced each day for the
average daily cost to be no more than $125?
95x 5400
+

125x
=

95x55406 540
125 =

X
-
3 x =

x =

180
7. Carry-on luggage for an airline has a length 10 inches greater than the depth. The sum of the
length, width, and depth may not exceed 45 inches. Let 𝑥𝑥 = depth of the carry-on.

A. Write an equation relating volume to depth x.

1
=

X + 10 m
=
35 2x
-

d x =

V(x
=

#10/255-2x) x
B. Graph the function and find the x-intercepts. State a reasonable domain.

01 & 01
125 ,
,

0xxc17 5
[10 , 03
.

C. Find the maximum possible volume, to the nearest cubic inch and the corresponding
dimensions of the carry-on bag.

(23 18951),

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 600+560𝑡𝑡
8. The number of elk P at any time t (in years) in a national game reserve is given by P 𝑡𝑡 = 20+0.8𝑡𝑡
.

566
A. Find the number of elk when t is 25, 42, 100.

450P(01=
D(25) 365 P(42
=

B. Find the horizontal asymptote of the graph 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑃𝑃(𝑡𝑡)

y 700
=

C. According to the model, what is the largest possible elk population?

699

9. Home Run Sports Apparel is selling baseball caps for $12.50 each. It costs $3.25 to produce each
cap, and the weekly overhead costs is $4500.

A. Let x be the number of caps produced each week. Express the average cost (including
overhead costs) of production one cap as a function of x.

f(1= 3 25 x .
+

4500
B. Solve algebraically to find the number of baseball caps that must be sold each week to make
a profit. Check your answer graphically.

4500X 487
=

12 5x-
> 3-25x +

x> 486 486 .

C. How many caps must be sold to make a profit of $1000 in one week. Support your answer
algebraically.

-4500x 594 595

=

ta 9 25x
.

: .

9
-4500x2595
1000 25x
=

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 10. Consider all rectangles with an area of 220 ft2. Let x be the length of one side of such a rectangle.

A. Express the perimeter P as a function of x.

Pl : +
2x
B. Find the dimensions of the rectangle that has the least perimeter.
14 865
Xe 14 8 -8 14 865148
=
.

.
,
C. What is the least perimeter?

P(14 .
8) 59 330 = .

11. The cost, in dollars, of processing x pounds of sugarcane each day can be modeled by the cost
function 𝐶𝐶 𝑥𝑥 = 0.001𝑥𝑥 3 − 0.12𝑥𝑥 2 + 6𝑥𝑥 + 250. Economists define the average cost function as
𝐶𝐶 (𝑥𝑥)
𝐶𝐶 𝑥𝑥 =
𝑥𝑥
A. Write the average cost function.
0 12x6
001 --
250
[x 1 =-
.

0 ,

X
B. What is the average cost of processing 100 pounds of sugarcane?

[(100) 6 5 =

i
C. Use your graphing utility to graph the average
cost function on grid at right.

>

D. Find the number of pounds of sugarcane that should be

processed to minimize the average cost per day.

179 7 .

,
5 .
92)
I 50 100 150

79 .
7
E. What is the minimum average cost?

5 92 .

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