GUC, Winter 2014, Math 104 WorkSheet_1

Functions & Mathematical Modeling

(For more problems and examples, see Greenwell, Sections 1.1,1.3)

Problem 1
Find the domain of the following functions
i. f(x) = x3 − 2x2 + 5
2
ii. f ( x) =
x −5
iii. f ( x) = x − 3
x
iv. f ( x) =
x−4
x −4
2
v. f ( x) =
x−2
1
vi. g(x) =
4 − x2

Problem 2
Given the functions,
(i) f(x) = x2+x, g(x) = 5x-4,
1
(ii) f ( x) = , g ( x) = x 2 + 4 x
3x + 2
(iii) f(x) = x −1 , g(x) = x2+1,

find each of the following.

a) h(x) = (f °g)(x)

b) k(x) = (g °f )(x)

Problem 3
Relation between Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature.
o Recall that water freezes at 32° Fahrenheit and 0° Celsius, while it boils at
212° Fahrenheit and 100° Celsius.
o Derive linear relation between F and C.
o If it is 57° C, find the corresponding Fahrenheit temperature.
GUC, Winter 2014, Math 104 WorkSheet_1

Problem 4
Bacteria resistance
o It is known that after some time of using an antibiotic, the bacteria will
start to exhibit a resistance against that kind. When trying to model the
relation between the time of using an antibiotic and the corresponding
bacteria resistance, a researcher found that after 2 years of using a certain
kind of antibiotics the percentage of bacteria with resistance against that
kind was 3.4, while after 6 years it was 8.2.
o Construct a linear model to find the relation between time and resistance,
o Use this model to estimate the resistance after 5 years of using this
antibiotic.
Problem 5
Exercise Heart Rate
o To achieve the maximum benefit for the heart when exercising, your heart
rate (in pulse per minute) should be in the target heart rate zone. The lower
limit of this zone is found by taking 70% of the difference between 220
and your age. The upper limit is found by using 85%
o Find a formula for upper and lower limits (u and l) as linear functions
involving the age x.
o What is the target heart rate zone for a 20-year-old?
o What is the target heart rate zone for a 40-year-old?
Problem 6
Swimming energy
o The energy expenditure (in kcal/km) for animals swimming at the surface of
the water is given by y= f(x) = 0.01 x0.88, x is the animal’s weight in grams.
o Find the energy of a sea otter of weight 20000g.
o Suppose the animal’s weight is given in kg rather than g. Given that
1kg = 1000g, find the function x = g(z), giving the animal’s weight in g if z is
the weight in kgs.
o Only one of the functions f °g and g °f makes physical sense. Calculate that
function, and describe what it does.