1.

2 Mathematical
Models
A CATALOGUE OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Mathematical Models?
The purpose of a mathematical model is to

understand and possibly

make predictions of future behaviour or
calculate missing values of some

phenomenon/experiment/situation.
Linear models

* NB: growth at a constant rate. Thus, for equal changes in there are equal changes in

is the slope – ‘how steep the line is’ plus a sign, - of +

- how do we determine ?
is the -intercept, in other words where the line cuts the -axis.
- how do we determine ?
Example of using a linear
model.

Can we predict how

many ice creams will
be bought if the
temperature is 30o?
More examples of linear models.
Example 1 p. 23: The temperature of the air as a function of the height above ground level.
Example 2 p. 23: Average carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere from 1980 till 2012.
Example 3 p. 25: Use the linear model of example 2 to make predictions.
Let us look at the types of functions
which are frequently used as models.
1. Polynomials
2. Power functions
Algebraic functions
3. Rational functions
4. Algebraic functions
5. Trigonometric functions
6. Exponential functions Transcendental functions

7. Logarithmic functions
Polynomials
A function in the form

where is a non-negative integer, is called a polynomial.

The constants are called the coefficients of the polynomial.
The constant is called the leading coefficient and is the degree of the polynomial.
 Power functions
Power functions are of the form

with being constant.

Important cases:
1) , with a positive integer. Thus e.g. , etc.
2) , with a positive integer. These are the root functions, e.g. ,
3) It gives a graph that we call a hyperbola. Is used where quantities are inversely proportional.
Rational functions
If we divide two polynomials, we get a rational function.

where and are both polynomials.

Algebraic functions
An algebraic function is one that we get by taking one or more polynomials and performing
algebraic operations.
So we may use: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, taking roots and raising to a power.

Example:
The mass () of a particle with a velocity is

is the resting mass and is the speed of light in a vacuum.

 Trigonometric functions
We have a look at the typical 3:

NB: In Calculus you can accept

that the unit of the angle is
radians, not degrees.
Convert an angle in degrees to an angle
in radians and vice versa.
We are used to measuring angles in degrees. Degrees is the unit of the angle.
For Calculus we will need a different way and unit of measuring angles. This unit is called radians.
The correspondence is as follows:

or thus
This gives us a way of converting between units.
Convert from degrees to radians
If the angle given has unit degrees, we can convert to radians by multiplying by

Example 1: Convert to radians

radians

Example 2: Convert to radians

radians
Convert from radians to degrees
If the angle given has unit radians, we can convert to degrees by multiplying by

Example 1: Convert 2.18 radians to degrees

Example 2: Convert 0.651 radians to degrees

Working with radians
If you want to use your calculator to determine for example where the 1.7 is in radians, then
your calculator must be set to use radian input, otherwise you will get the incorrect answer.

Let us now see how to set up a typical calculator to work with radian input for its trig
functions.
Calculator: degree input vs. radian input
In the picture on the left, inside the
yellow circle, you will see the letter D.
This indicates that currently this
calculator is set to take degrees as
input for its trig functions.
So if you wanted to calculate
, you could simply press the sin
button, type in 3 and 0 and press the
= button and you will get the correct
answer of 0.5

If you wanted to calculate you will

not get the correct answer of 0.5 if
you simply went through the same
procedure as above, because the
input angle is now in radians, while
the calculator is still expecting
degrees.
Changing to radian input
1. Press the Shift button and then the 2. Now press 4 to change to radian input.
Mode/Setup button, to get the screen The calculator should now show the
on the right. letters RAD or similar where there was
the letter D before.

NOTE:
Different
calculator brands
and or models
will or can differ
in their setup,
but you get the
idea...
Example
Let’s say you would like to calculate . You could do this in 2 ways:

1. Set your calculator on radians, press the sin button then type 1.87 and press the = button
to get the answer
2. Otherwise you could first convert the angle to degrees, so first

then, keep your calculator on degrees, press the sin button then type 107.143 and press the
= button to get the answer
 Exponential and Logarithmic functions
Exponential functions:

Functions in the form: , with the base a positive constant.

Logarithmic functions:

Functions in the form: , with the base a positive constant.

Example 6, p.31
Classify each of the following functions:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Exercises
1.2 Exercises:
1-4, 5, 7, 9, 11-13, 15, 17, 27, 28

Appendix D:
1-12