VCE Mathematical Methods
Units 3 and 4
Sample application task – drug concentrations
Introduction
A context such as the following can be used to investigate drug absorption, using a product function model
involving circular functions and exponential functions.
For each of the following functions the behaviour and variety of shapes of their graphs is to be investigated.
The modelling domain and corresponding range should be identified, as well as key features such as axis
intercepts, stationary points and points of inflection, symmetry, asymptotes, and the shape of the graph over
its natural domain, using the derivative function for analysis as applicable.
The task will begin with an investigation of a graph that might model the concentration of a certain drug in a
patient’s system over time. The use of parameters in the family of the function, gives students the opportunity
to explore the effect the size of parameters have on the graph and hence on the magnitude of the drug in a
patient’s system over time. Students then explore a similar function that may model the situation more
closely.
Component 1
Consider the function with rule .
a. Graph the function identifying its key features and explain how the shape of its graph can be deduced
from its component functions.
The graph of , where A and k are positive real constants, can be used to describe drug
absorption in a patient’s bloodstream, using units mg/litre per unit of time in minutes.
b. Consider the special case where and and discuss this with respect to a dose of a drug,
taken at .
c. Select several pairs of values of A and k where and and explore and interpret
features of the graph of
d. Discuss the role of the sine function, the exponential function, and constants A and k in determining the
shape of the graph of
© VCAA
VCE Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4
Component 2
Consider the function where measures units mg/litre per unit of
time in minutes.
a. Let and , graph this function identifying its key features, and construct a corresponding
table of values.
b. Identify and interpret the maximum rates of increase and decrease, and when the concentration is half
of its maximum value.
c. Investigate what happens to the graph when A and k are systematically varied and discuss any
patterns.
d. Jordan is in hospital and needs a particular drug to manage pain.
Let where the particular drug in Jordan’s bloodstream is
measured in mg/litre at time, minutes, . Draw the corresponding graph and compare this with the
investigations above.
Component 3
Investigate any points of intersection between graphs of
and
Discuss where these points of intersection exist in relation to the stationary point(s) of the graph of .
Areas of study
The following content from the areas of study is addressed through this task.
Area of study Content dot point
Functions, relations and graphs 1, 2, 4, 5
Algebra, number and structure 4, 5, 6
Calculus 3, 4, 5
Outcomes
The following outcomes, key knowledge and key skills are addressed through this task.
Outcome Key knowledge dot point Key skill dot point
1 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
© VCAA Page 2
VCE Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4
2 1, 2, 3, 5 1, 2, 3, 6, 7
3 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11
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