MHF4U, Advanced Functions

Applying Rational Functions

Mid-Unit Assignment
Maimuna Kabir

11.06.2023

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to comprehend the use of rational functions in everyday
life, particularly in the field of medicine. I plan to conduct a study on the surgical profession
and learn about the prerequisites, credentials, and pay scales of surgeons. I would also
illustrate a scenario in which surgeons utilize their knowledge of rational functions and
thereby demonstrate the significance of rational functions. I will use a rational function that
I created and explain it applying its asymptotes, intercepts, and graph while linking it to the
subject of medicine.

Introduction

The medical area is the scientific discipline concerned with discovering cures for all types of
illnesses and diseases. It has evolved from its humble beginnings in Greek civilization into a
multifaceted field of study with numerous specializations and focal areas. Surgeons and the
branch of surgery, like many other vocations in medicine, have evolved dramatically during
the last few decades. Surgeons have contributed much to education, clinical care, and
science. Their achievements and successes in surgical science, as well as improvements in
operative technique, have revolutionized surgical treatment, saved many lives, and
considerably increased human longevity and quality of life. Surgeons' job descriptions vary
depending on the setting in which they practice. Even though work environments differ, a
few characteristics stay constant: the surgical profession necessitates responsibility,
patience, leadership, and devotion. During an operation, the surgeon makes critical
decisions that can often spell the difference between life and death for the patients. They
make decisions concerning the patient's health, safety, and well-being. Furthermore, the
surgeon unifies and fosters cooperation among the other surgical team members.
Surgeons work in a variety of settings, including private practice, academic medicine,
institutional practice, hospitals, government service programs, and uniformed services.
('Physician or Surgeon', 2021)

Educational Requirements:

A five-year degree in medicine (recognized by the General Medicine Council), a two-year

foundation program of general training, and two years of core surgical training in a hospital
are often required to become a surgeon. Up to six years of additional specialization can
lead to better-paying and more specialized work as a surgeon. A young student interested
in becoming a surgeon should be aware that seven GCSEs, including sciences, with five
subjects at grades 9 to 7 (A* or A) and English and maths at least grades 6 to 5 (B) or three
A levels, including chemistry, biology, and either physics or maths, are academic
requirements to pursue further courses in this medical career. Before they may advance to
a specialty, all sorts of surgeons must first train as general surgeons. (Ucas.com)

Pay Scales of Surgeons:

Surgeons' pay rates might vary depending on their specialty, credentials, experience, and
employment. The median pay for a general surgeon is $374,310, according to ‘salary.com’,
The lowest 10% earn $264,228 on average, while the richest 10% earn $444,728 on
average.

A few average pay scales of surgeons based on specializations are listed below:

● Neurological Surgeons: They deal with problems related to the nervous system.
The median income of neurosurgeons is $580,362. The lowest 10 percent earn
$306,279, and the top 10 percent bring in an average of $734,317. (Workchorn.com)

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 ● Orthopedic Surgeons: They diagnose and treat musculoskeletal injuries and
diseases. Orthopedic surgeons have a median income of $463,731. The top 10
percent bring in an average of $599,983, and the lowest 10 percent earn $274,310.
● Plastic Surgeons: They perform cosmetic surgical procedures to enhance one's
looks. They also repair damage resulting from tragic accidents and perform skin
grafts for burns. The top 10 percent of plastic surgeons will average $464,731. The
lowest 10 percent are paid an average of $257,239, The average salary for all plastic
surgeons is $374,485.
● Cardiothoracic Surgeons: They specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and surgery
of patients with heart and lung problems. The average income for a heart surgeon is
$449,624. The top 10% make an average of $563,608, while the bottom 10% earn an
average of $279,222. (Woodruff, 2018)

Role of Mathematics and Rational Functions in the Medical Field:

Surgeons, like any other educated layman, employ basic math. However, most of the
information and expertise on which he/she relies in his/her professional life has a
mathematical component in its growth, maybe in the form of supporting fields such as
physics, chemistry, biology, and bioengineering. Arithmetic and statistics are commonly
seen as the most immediately helpful branches of mathematics. Surgeons must utilize a
variety of chemicals and medications during procedures and determine the appropriate
dose. Anesthesia, for example, is commonly used by surgeons to numb the area being
operated on and must be administered in certain amounts. These doses can be expressed
as rational function formulas. Another example is that some procedures can only begin
when a specific medicine reaches a certain concentration in the body. The functions utilized
in these circumstances assist doctors in determining after how many hours they should
begin the procedure.

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Calculations

The following rational function defines the time-dependent concentration of

a certain medicine in the blood:

𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = 2
𝑥 −100

A surgeon must conduct small surgery on the patient, but only once the
concentration reaches 10 g/dL.

● Holes:

First, we must factor the function and look for common factors.

𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = 2
𝑥 −100

𝑥
= (𝑥+10)(𝑥−10)

There are no common factors between the numerator and the denominator. Thus,
there are no holes.

● Vertical Asymptote:

Setting the denominator to 0:

2
𝑥 − 100 = 0

(𝑥 + 10)(𝑥 − 10) = 0

𝑥 =± 10

● Horizontal Asymptote:

Since the degree of the numerator is less than the degree of the denominator, the
horizontal asymptote is 𝑦 = 0.

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 ● Oblique Asymptote:

There exists no oblique asymptote in this function.

● X-Intercept:

Setting 𝑦 = 0 into the function.

𝑥
(𝑥+10)(𝑥−10)
=0

𝑥=0

Therefore, the x-intercept is at (0,0).

● Y-Intercept:

Setting 𝑥 = 0 into the function.

(0)
= (0+10)(0−10)

=0

Therefore, the y-intercept is at (0,0).

● Domain:

{𝑥|𝑥 ≠− 10 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ≠ 10, 𝑥 ∈ 𝑅}

● Range:

{𝑦|𝑦 ∈ 𝑅}

● End Behaviours:
1. End Behaviour Near Vertical Asymptote:

Choosing a value for 𝑥 that is close to 𝑥 =− 10 and substituting this into 𝑓(𝑥)
when approaching from the left side.

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 𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥+10)(𝑥−10)

−10.001
𝑓(𝑥) = (−10.001+10)(−10.001−10)

𝑓(𝑥) =− 500. 025

Hence, the function approaches − ∞.

Choosing a value for 𝑥 that is close to 𝑥 =− 10 and substituting this into 𝑓(𝑥)
when approaching from the right side.

𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥+10)(𝑥−10)

−9.999
𝑓(𝑥) = (−9.999+10)(−9.999−10)

𝑓(𝑥) = 499. 978

Hence, the function approaches + ∞.

Choosing a value for 𝑥 that is close to 𝑥 = 10 and substituting this into 𝑓(𝑥)
when approaching from the left side.

𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥+10)(𝑥−10)

9.999
𝑓(𝑥) = (9.999+10)(9.999−10)

𝑓(𝑥) =− 499. 978

Hence, the function approaches − ∞.

Choosing a value for 𝑥 that is close to 𝑥 = 10 and substituting this into 𝑓(𝑥)
when approaching from the right side.

𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥+10)(𝑥−10)

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 10.001
𝑓(𝑥) = (10.001+10)(10.001−10)

𝑓(𝑥) = 500. 025

Hence, the function approaches + ∞.

2. End Behaviour Near Horizontal Asymptote:

Substituting 𝑥 =− 1000 into the function.

𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥+10)(𝑥−10)

−1000
𝑓(𝑥) = (−1000+10)(−1000−10)

𝑓(𝑥) =− 0. 001

Thus, the function approaches the horizontal asymptote from below.

Substituting 𝑥 = 1000 into the function.

𝑥
𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥+10)(𝑥−10)

1000
𝑓(𝑥) = (1000+10)(1000−10)

𝑓(𝑥) = 0. 001

Thus, the function approaches the horizontal asymptote from above.

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 ● Identifying the Defining Intervals:

We will determine the sign of each factor then use the rules of multiplying integers
to identify if the graph will be positive or negative at that point.

Interval 𝑥 <− 10 − 10 < 𝑥 < 0 0 < 𝑥 < 10 𝑥 > 10

Factors

(𝑥 + 10) − + + +

(𝑥 − 10) − − − +

𝑓(𝑥) + − − +

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 ● The Graph Sketched by Hand:

[NOTE: The broken pink line segment represents the vertical and the horizontal asymptotes.
The blue line segments represents the function.]

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 ● Verifying the Graph with Graphing Technology:

● The minimum and maximum values in the graph represent the concentration
of a certain medicine in the blood stream.

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Conclusion

I constructed this function and used it as an example to represent a scenario in which a

patient is to be injected before surgery, and the surgery can only take place if the
concentration of a medicine in the bloodstream is optimal. The goal of describing and
calculating asymptotes, intercepts, and other values was to demonstrate the usefulness of
rational functions in everyday life, particularly in the field of medicine. Before starting, a
surgeon needs to have all of the facts figured out since it will help him determine when the
drug will be most effective. Otherwise, it could lead to major complications, such as the
patient waking up in the middle of the procedure or experiencing excruciating pain. As a
result, we recognize the significance of rational functions.

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 References

'What is the job description of surgeons?'. (2014, August 13). American College of Surgeons.

Retrieved June 9, 2023, from

https://www.facs.org/Education/Resources/Medical-Students/FAQ/Job-Description

'Job Description'. (n.d.). Careers / Surgeons. Retrieved June 9, 2023, from

https://www.myplan.com/careers/surgeons/description-29-1067.00.html

'Physician or Surgeon'. (2021, February 19). Truity. Retrived June 10, 2023, from

https://www.truity.com/career-profile/physician-or-surgeon

Woodruff, J. (2018, March 23). 'Types of Surgeons & Their Salaries'. Chron. Retrieved June

10, 2023, from

https://work.chron.com/types-surgeons-salaries-1186.html

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