General Mathematics

Quarter 1 – Module 4: Solving Real-

Life Problems Involving Functions
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written to help you solve problems involving
functions bearing in mind that you already know how to represent real – life
situation using functions including piece-wise functions, evaluate functions
and perform operations on functions. These skills will aid you in attaining
success on this module.

Solving problems involving functions is essential in predicting values that

will help in decision making process. This module covers varied situations
that can be seen in real life such as travel fares, monthly bills sales and the
like. It is hoped that upon exploring this learning kit you will find the eager
and enthusiasm in completing the task required. Best of luck!

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. represent situations as functions and evaluate functions to

determine the required quantity
2. apply concepts learned in solving real-life problems involving
functions 3. solve problems involving functions

What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. Given ℎ(𝑥) = 5 𝑥−6, determine ℎ(3)

3

a. -3
b. 3
c. 1
d. -1

2. Let 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥2 − 𝑥 + 5, find 𝑓(𝑥 + 1)

a. 3𝑥2 + 5𝑥 + 5
b. 3𝑥2 + 5𝑥 + 7
c. 3𝑥2 − 𝑥 + 9
 d. 3𝑥2 + 5𝑥 + 9

3. Which of the following expresses the total earnings (E) as a function of

the number (n) of days if a laborer works and earning ₱400.00 per
day?
a. E(n) = 400 + n
b. E(n) = 400 ÷ n
c. E(n) = 400(n)
d. E(n) = 400 – n

4. If the temperature in degrees Celsius inside the Earth is represented

by T(d) = 10d + 20 where (d) is the depth in kilometers, what is the
temperature inside the Earth in 10 kilometers?
a. 40℃
b. 50℃
c. 120℃
d. 180℃

5. Express the perimeter P of a square with side x as a function of its

area a. 𝐴 = 𝑃 2

16

b. 𝐴 = 16𝑃2

c. 𝐴 = 𝑃2
4

d. 𝐴 = 16𝑃2

For numbers 6 – 7 use the problem below:

Cotta National High School has 1,200 students enrolled in 2016 and 1,500
students in 2019. The student population P grows as a linear function of time
(t), where t is the number of years after 2016.

6. Which of the following functions represents the student population

that relates to time t?
a. P(t)= 100t + 1,200
b. P(t) = 1,200t -100
c. P(t) = 1,200t + 100
d. P(t) = 100t – 1,200

7. How many students will be enrolled in Cotta National High School by

2020? a. 1,800
b. 1,700
 c. 1,600
d. 1,650

For numbers 8 – 10 use the problem below:

A proposed tricycle fare would charge ₱20.00 for the first 5 km of travel
and ₱0.75 for each additional kilometer over the proposed fare.

8. Find the fare function f(x) where x represents the number of kilometers
travelled.
a. f(x) = 20 + 0.75x
b. f(x) = 20 - 0.75x
c. f(x) =16.25 + 0.75x
d. f(x) = 6.25 - 0.75x

9. How much is the proposed fare for distance of 3 km?

a. ₱4.00
b. ₱8.00
c. ₱12.00
d. ₱20.00

10. Find the proposed fare for distance of 55 km.

a. ₱57.50
b. ₱91.25
c. ₱60.50
d. ₱105.75

11. The cost of producing x tools by a B&G Corp. is given by

C(x)=₱1,200.00(x) + ₱5,500.00. How much is 100 tools?
a. ₱6,700.00
b. ₱12,550.00
c. ₱125,500.00
d. ₱551,200.00

For numbers 12 - 15 use the problem below:

Mark charges ₱100.00 for an encoding work. In addition, he charges ₱5.00

per page of printed output.
12. Find a function f(x) where x represents the number of pages of printed
out. a. f(x) = 100 + 5x
b. f(x) = 100 - 5x
c. f(x) = 100x + 5
d. f(x) = 100x – 5

13. How much will Mark charge for 55-page encoding and printing work?
a. ₱275.00
b. ₱175.00
c. ₱375.00
d. ₱475.00
14. How many pages were printed if Mark received a payment of ₱600.00?
a. 100 pages
b. 80 pages
c. 60 pages
d. 50 pages

15. If Mark offers a promo to loyal costumer that the first 20 pages of the
printed output will be free of charge, how much will he charge to a
loyal customer who printed 70 pages of output?
a. ₱250.00
b. ₱50.00
c. ₱350.00
d. ₱450.00
 Lesson
Solving Real-Life Problems
1 Involving Functions

Majority of the problems we encounter in real life situation involve

relationship between two quantities where one quantity depends on another.
For example, personnel in Department of Health observes the number of
persons infected by a particular virus in a certain community increases with
time. In finding out the exact function relating to the number of persons
infected to time, modelling can be used. Once the model is determined solving
and predicting the properties of the subject being studied can be done. At
this point we will focus on solving in order for us to predict answer to existing
problems.

What’s In

YES I CAN!

Listed below are the skills and competencies you should possess before
proceeding to this lesson. Read the statements and assess yourself whether
you agree or disagree with the statements.

Statement Agree Disagree

1. I can carefully read and analyze a given problem

 2. I can determine the given and the facts required in
a problem

3. I can represent real – life situation using function,

including piece –wise function

4. I can perform operations on functions

5. I can evaluate functions

• If you agree with all the statements that means you are very much ready
with this module, however if there are some statements where you disagree
that means you need to have a quick review of the previous lesson that will
aid you in gaining success in this lesson.
Let us take a quick tour to what you learn in the previous modules

1. Being able to understand a problem presented is the first thing that

we learn on how to solve problems in Mathematics. Careful reading leads
you to thorough analysis in the identification of given facts and in
determining the required or the unknown quantity. Precise label of the
known and unknown quantities will help you set up a direction towards
the solution.

2. A function is a rule of correspondence between two non-empty sets,

such that to each element of the first set called domain, there corresponds
one and only one element of the second set called range.

3. Functions are used to model real life situations and in representing

real – life situations the quantity of one variable depends or corresponds
to or mapped onto another quantity.

4. Piece-wise function are functions that may be represented by a

combination or of equations.

5. If a function f is defined by y = f(x) and an independent variable x is

found by substituting x into the function rule then it undergoes a process
of evaluating function. Moreover, you also studied fundamental operation
can be applied to two or more functions to form a new function. Such
operations are addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Consider the examples below and reflect if you are confident enough to
proceed

1. Write a function C that represent the cost of buying x facemask, if a

facemask cost ₱65.00
C(x) = 65x

2. A commuter pays ₱ 9.00 for a jeepney fare for the first 5 km and an
additional ₱ 0.75 for every succeeding distance d in kilometer.
Represent the situation as function
F(d) = 9, if 0<d<5
F(d) = 9 + 0.75(d) , if d>5

3. If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 6, evaluate: a. f(4) b. f(-2) c. f(-x)

Solution: a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 6 b. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 6 c. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 6 f(4)

= 4+ 6 𝑓(−2) = (−2) + 6 𝑓(−𝑥) = −𝑥 + 6 f(4) = 10 𝑓(−2)
=4

4.Le 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 3t and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2. Find a. 𝑓(3) + 𝑔(−2) b. 𝑓(4) − 𝑔(0)

𝑓(9)
c. 𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥) d.
𝑔(8)

Solution:
a. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 3 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2
𝑓(3) = 3 + 3 𝑔(−2) = (−2) − 2
𝑓(3) = 6 𝑔(−2) = −4
𝑓(3) + 𝑔(−2) = 6 + (−4)
𝑓(3) + 𝑔(−2) = 2

b. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 3 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2
𝑓(4) = 4 + 3 𝑔(0) = 0 − 2
𝑓(4) = 7 𝑔(0) = −2
𝑓(4) − 𝑔(0) = 7 − (−2)
𝑓(4) − 𝑔(0) = 9

c. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 3 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2
𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 2)
𝑓(𝑥) ∙ 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6

d. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 3 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 2
𝑓(9) = 9 + 3 𝑔(8) = 8 − 2
𝑓(9) = 12 𝑔(8) = 6
𝑓(9) 12
= =2
𝑔(8) 6
 At this point you may now proceed to the next section of this module!

Notes to the Teacher

The teacher may also point out the importance of the concept of
zero of linear function in solving problems involving functions. The
zero of a linear function f(x) is the real number a such that f(a)=0.
This suggest that the zero of linear function is foun d by equating
it to zero and then solving the resulting equation for x. This will be
used in the latter example in the module.

What’s New

JEEPNEY OR TRICYCLE?

Read and analyze the problem below.

Miguel is a senior high school student who commutes from home to school
which is 15 km apart. There are two modes of transportation the first one is
through jeep and the other one is through tricycle. In riding a jeepney the
fare charge ₱9.00 for the first 4 km travel and ₱0.75 for each additional
kilometer. Meanwhile in riding a tricycle the fare would be ₱10.00 for the first
km travel and ₱1 for each additional kilometer.

Will you help Miguel analyze his situation?

Questions

1. If you are Miguel and decided to ride in a jeepney, how much will be
your fare?
_____________________________________________________________
Hint: You may use the table below to compute the fare

No. of km 0-4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15
Amount charge 9 9+ 9.75+
0.75 0.75

2. If you decided to ride in a tricycle how much will be your fare?

____________
Hint: You may use the strategy in no. 2

3. What characteristics does Miguel possess if he chose to ride a jeepney?

_______________________________________________________________

4. Is there any advantage in riding a jeepney instead of tricycle? Or riding

a tricycle instead of jeepney? What would it be?
___________________________________________________________________
________
5. If you are Miguel which between the two modes of transportation will
you choose? Why?
____________________________________________________

What is It
Decision making is always part of our lives, from the moment
we wake- up we start to decide the proper action to undertake be it minor or
major decisions. In the problem presented one of the factors that Miguel can
use in making decision about the dilemma he is facing is the cost of the fare
in jeepney and in tricycle. If he will ride a jeepney he will only pay ₱17.25
however if he will ride a tricycle, he needs to pay ₱24.00 So it will be more
economical if he chose to ride a jeepney. However, the cost of the fare is just
one of the factors. There are times that convenience is also considered in
choosing the mode of transportation since it is not crowded and you can
reach your destination faster. Therefore, in deciding the mode of
transportation the priority of the commuters whether to be more economical
or to meet convenience is considered.

In the previous problem we determine the cost of the fare by using a table
wherein we repeatedly add the fare charge per kilometer. Thus, this type of
problem can be solved using functions, and at this point let us determine
how we are going to do that.

Example no. 1

LET’S TRAVEL

A proposed Light Rail Transit System Line 1 (LRT-1) fare would charge ₱18.00
for the first four stations and ₱5.00 for each additional station over the
proposed fare.

a. Find the fare function f(x) where x represents the number of stations
traveled
b. Find the proposed fare for 15 stations
c. Find the proposed fare for 20 stations
To solve problems that involve functions you can employ George Polya’s 4-
step rule.

George Polya’s 4 – Step Rule

1. Explore. This step involves careful reading, analyzing,

identifying the given and unknown facts in the problem and
expressing the unknown in terms of variables.
2. Plan. In this step writing an equation that describes the
relationships between or among the variables is involve.
3. Solve. This step requires working out with the written equation
and other number relations to determine the required
quantities that answer the question in the problem.
4. Check. The final step that employ the use of other approaches
to examine the appropriateness of the answer.

Solution

a. Explore. Since the first step involves analysis and proper labeling of
the known and unknown facts we will let x = number of stations
traveled. There are also some conditions that was set in the problem
such as the cost of fare which is set up to 4 stations only thus we can
represent x – 4 = number of stations traveled over and above 4 stations
 Plan. In writing an equation that will represent the relationship
between the known and unknown quantities, since we know that if
we travelled up to 4 stations we must pay P18, we can represent it
as f(x) = 18 for 0 < 𝑥 ≤ 4

However, if we travelled more than 4 stations the cost of the fare have
different method of computation so we need to consider it. Since the
cost of every station after the 4th station is ₱5.00 we will now obtain
f(x) = 18 + 5(x – 4)

Now simplifying the equation will

lead us to: f(x) = 18 + 5x – 20 f(x) =
5x – 2

At this point we can say that the fare function is f(x) = 5x - 2

b. Solve. To find the fare charge for 15 stations the fare function f(x) =
5x -2
will be used and 15 will be substituted to the function f(15) = 5(15) –
2
= 73
By evaluating the function we obtained f(15) = 73

Check. To check whether we arrived at the correct solution you can

use table or graph.
Thus. the proposed fare for 15-station travel is ₱73.00

c. f(20) = 5 (20) – 2
= 98

The proposed fare for 20 – station travel is ₱98

Example no. 2

BINGE WATCH
Lucena Network charges ₱450.00 monthly cable connection fee plus
₱130.00 for each hour of pay-per-view (PPV) event regardless of a full hour or
a fraction of an hour.
 a. Find payment function f(x) where x represents the number of PPV
hours.
b. What is the monthly bill of a customer who watched 25 hours of PPV
events?
c. What is the monthly bill of a customer who watched 0.5 hour of PPV
events?
Solution:

a. ₱450.00 = fixed monthly cable connection fee

Let x = number of PPV hours in a month
₱130.00(x) = amount of PPV payment in a specific hour
The payment function is f(x) = 450 + 130(x).

b. The monthly bill of a customer who watched 25 hours PPV events can
be represented by 24 < x ≤ 25. f(x) = 450 + 130(x).
f(25) = 450 + 130(25)
= 450 + 3,250
= 3,750
The monthly bill of a customer who watched 25 hours of PPV event is
₱3,750.00

c. The monthly bill of a customer who watched 0.5 hour PPV events can
be represented by 0 < x ≤ 1 and since the problem states that regardless
of a full hour or a fraction of an hour the additional charge will be made
on hourly basis only, thus the value of x will be 1
f(x) = Php 450.00 + Php 130.00(x).
f(1) = Php 450.00 + Php 130.00(1)
= Php 450.00 + Php 130.00

= Php 580.00

What’s More

Read each situation carefully to solve each problem. Write your answer on a
separate sheet of your paper.
Independent Practice 1

Business As Usual

Bakers’ Club is trying to raise funds by selling premium chocolate chip

cookies in a school fair. The variable cost to make each cookie is ₱15.00
and it is being sold for ₱25.00 So far the organization has already shelled
out ₱790.00 for the cookie sale

a. Find the profit function P(x) where x represents the number of cookies
sold
Hint: Profit = Total Revenue – Total Cost
Total Revenue = Price per unit x quantity sold
Total Cost = Total variable cost + fixed cost
____________________________________________________________

b. If 146 cookies were sold, how much is the total profit?

_______________________________________________________________

c. How many cookies must be made and sold to break even?

Hint: Break even point is the zero of P(x)
_______________________________________________________________

d. How many cookie should be sold to gain a profit of ₱250.00?

______________________________________________________________

Independent Assessment 1

Baker’s Nook

Elisha just opened a bakery along Macalintal Avenue which sells fresh
doughnuts. The selling price is ₱20.00 per doughnut and the cost
of

making it is ₱8.00 The daily operating expense is ₱600.00.

a. Find the profit function P(x) where x represent the number of
doughnuts sold.

b. If 100 doughnuts were sold, what is the total profit?

c. How many doughnuts must be made and sold to break even?
d. How many doughnuts should be sold to gain a profit of

₱600.00?
Independent Practice 2
 Hello!

A certain cellphone company offers a plan that costs ₱1,200.00 per

month. The plan includes 180 free minutes of call and charges ₱7.00
for each additional minute of usage.

a. Find the monthly cost function C(x) where x represents the number
of minutes used.
Hint: Monthly Cost = Plan Cost + Additional Charge per Minute
________________________________________________________________

b. How much is the monthly cost incurred if the owner used 180
minutes of
call?____________________________________________________________

c. How much is the monthly cost of the plan if the owner used 300
minutes of
call?____________________________________________________________
__

Independent Assessment 2

Connected!

CATV Lucena costs ₱1,500.00 a month which also includes 15 GB of

data monthly. It charges ₱50.00 for each additional gigabytes usage.
Find the monthly cost incurred if the owner used 45 GB of data in a
month.

What I Have Learned

According to Alice Hoffman every problem has a solution. In finding the

solution one important aspect to consider is the “how” or the process of
finding it. In solving problems involving functions there are different process
that we can employ to attain the solution.
In three to five sentences write the process that you follow in solving problems
involving functions.

__________________________________________________________________________
________

__________________________________________________________________________
________
__________________________________________________________________________
________

__________________________________________________________________________
________
__________________________________________________________________________
________
__________________________________________________________________________
________

What I Can Do

You wanted to join a booth fair, and you are aiming to get a profit that is
twice as your capital. Your starting capital is ₱15,000.00. Make a financial
plan for the booth that you will set up and the product that you will sell. You
may use the sample plan below:
 FINANCIAL PLAN

Product: _________________________

Description of product: ________________________

Goal: _____________________________________

Capital: ₱15,000.00

Fixed Cost (Labor, Machineries, Expenses for the booth etc): _______

Variable Cost (Materials, Ingredients, etc): ____________

Profit function: ___________________

Prove that profit function will yield an amount that is twice the capital

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Rubrics for the Task

Categories
Excellent Fair Poor
3 2 1

Budgeting
Excellent Some Little to no
understanding in understanding in understanding in
creating a plan for creating a plan for creating a plan for
spending the spending the spending the
money money money

Planning The goal set is

The goal set is The goal set is not
hard to achieve
achievable and achievable and not
realistic realistic

Accuracy of The computation The computation

Solution in obtaining the in obtaining the There is no
desired profit using desired profit using attempt in
the profit function the profit function computing the
is correct has flaws desired profit using
the profit function
 Assessment

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write

the chosen letter on a separate sheet of paper.

For numbers 1- 5 use the problem below:

Emmanuel decided to put up a candy shop that sells a dairy chocolate that
cost ₱135.00 per pack. The cost of making the chocolate is ₱90.00 and the
operating expense is ₱4,500.00
1. Which of the following pertains to the profit function?
a. P(x) = 45x – 4,500
b. P(x) = 225x – 4,500
c. P(x) = 45x + 4,500
d. P(x) = 225x + 4,500

2. How many packs of dairy chocolate must be sold to break even?

a. 50
b. 100
c. 150
d. 200
3. Which value of x will make Emmanuel’s candy shop suffer loss for
selling packs of chocolates? a. X> 100
b. x≤ 100
c. x< 100
d. x≥ 100

4. How many chocolate bars must be sold if Emmanuel wanted to earn

a profit of ₱6,750.00? a. 100
b. 150
c. 250
d. 350

5. How much is the gain if Emmanuel sold 350 packs of chocolates?

a. ₱6,750.00
b. ₱9,750.00
c. ₱11.250.00
d. ₱15,250.00

For numbers 6- 10 use the problem below

Mariel wanted to avail a cellphone plan that offers a monthly fee of
₱2,500.00. It includes 240 minutes of call and charges ₱7.50 for each
additional minute of usage.
6. Which of the following pertains to the monthly cost function?
 a. C(x) = 2,500 -1800x
b. C(x) = 2,500 + 1800x
c. C(x) = 700 + 7.50x
d. C(x) = 700 – 7.50x

7. What value of x will not require any additional charge in her monthly
bill? a. x > 240
b. x < 240
c. x ≥ 240
d. x ≤ 240

8. How many additional minutes of call did she make, if she paid
₱2,800.00 in her monthly bill? a. 20 minutes
b. 40 minutes
c. 60 minutes
d. 80 minutes

9. How much is her monthly cost incurred if she made an additional

usage of 20 minutes of call? a. ₱2,500.00
b. ₱2,600.00
c. ₱2,650.00
d. ₱3,350.00

10. How much will she need to pay from using a total of 350 minutes of
call in one month? a. ₱950.00
b. ₱2,610.00
c. ₱3,325.00
d. ₱4,325.00

For numbers 11- 15 use the problem below

A local cable network charges ₱950.00 monthly connection fee plus
₱100.00 for each hour of pay-per-view (PPV) event regardless of a full hour or
a fraction of an hour.
11. Which of the following pertains to the payment function suggested in
the problem?
a. f(x) = 100x + 950
b. f(x) = 100x – 950
c. f(x) = 950x + 100
d. f(x) = 950x – 100

12. What is the monthly bill of a customer who watched 20 hours of PPV
events? a. ₱2,950.00
b. ₱3,950.00
 c. ₱4,950.00
d. ₱5,950.00

13. How much is the monthly bill of a customer who watched 0.5 hours
of PPV events?
a. ₱950.00
b. ₱1,050.00
c. ₱2,050.00
d. ₱3,050.00

14. What will be the monthly bill of a customer who watched 12.3 hours
of PPV events?
a. ₱1,250.00
b. ₱2,250.00
c. ₱3,250.00
d. ₱4,250.00

15. How many hours did a customer watched PPV events if the monthly
payment is ₱1,450.00? a. 2 hours
b. 3 hours
c. 4 hours
d. 5 hours

Additional Activities

To practice your skills in solving problems involving functions the exercises

below is for you.

Read and solve the problem.

Mall Goers

1. Inter Global Mall charges ₱30.00 for the first hour or a fraction of an hour
for the parking fee. An additional ₱15.00 is charged for every additional hour
of parking. The parking area operates from 7am to 12 midnight everyday.

a. Write a function rule for the problem

b. How much will be charged to the car owner if he parked his car from 7am
to 3pm?

c. How much will be charged to a car owner who parked his car from 9am to
11:30pm?
Geometry

A man with 200 ft. of fencing material wishes to fence off an area in
the shape of a rectangle. What should be the dimensions of the area if the
enclosed space is to be as large as possible? What is the largest area?
Hint: A = lw, P = 2l + 2w

Answer
Key

References
Santos, Durwin C. & Biason Ma. Garnet P., Math Activated: Engage Yourself and
Our World General Math. (Makati City, Salesiana Books by Don Bosco Press, Inc.,
2016) 21 - 27
Orines, Fernando B., Next Century Mathematics. (Quezon City, Phoenix Publishing
House, 2016) 48 – 54
Orines, Fernando B, Espargo, Mirla S. Reyes, Nestor V., Advanced Algebra,
Trigonometry and Statistics (Quezon City, Phoenix Publishing House Inc.,1999)130

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