Task one
The domain of a function is the set of all possible x-values for which the graph is defined.
Looking at this graph, it moves from the left to the right horizontally
So, the domain is (-10,-5, 0, 5, 10)
The range is the set of all possible y-values the function takes. From the graph, it moves
from down up
So, the range is (-10, -5, 0, 5, 10)
(ii) Does this graph represent a function and a one-one function?
To determine if a graph is a function, we use the Vertical Line Test
If any vertical line crosses the graph only once at any point, it’s a function.
In this graph, no vertical line would cross the graph more than once at the same x-value,
so Yes, this is a function
Is it a one-on-one function?
The graph must pass the Horizontal Line Test.
From the graph, some horizontal lines, like at y = 5, would cross the graph in more than
one place. That means different x-values give the same y-value. So, no, it is not a one-on-
one function.
Task 2
Given the relation:
E(P)=P−10000,where P≥10000
This function represents the export of avocados (in thousands) from Indonesia, where P is
the production in thousands and E(P) is the corresponding export.
The function shows a linear relationship between production and export.
At exactly 10,000 units of production, there are no exports (E(10000) = 0).
As production increases beyond 10,000, the export increases at a constant rate.
For example:
At P = 11,000, E(P) = 1,000 (thousand units exported)
At P = 15,000, E(P) = 5,000
The graph of this function is a straight line that starts at the point (10,000, 0) and rises
diagonally.
The slope of the line is 1, which means for every additional 1,000 avocados produced,
1,000 more are exported.
Task 3
In this task, I was asked to analyze the graphs of two mathematical functions a quadratic
function and a linear one — both of which describe the relationship between the length (x
in feet) and weight (y in tons) of two animals. The functions provided are:
- f(x) = x², a parabola opening upwards
- g(x) = -5x, a straight line with a negative slope
These graphs intersect at point A = (5, 25), which is the core of this analysis. I’ll break
down my understanding and findings into two parts.
Determining the Rates of Change at the Point of Intersection
From the graph, it’s clear that the two functions intersect at point A (5, 25), meaning both
animals weigh 25 tons when they are 5 feet long. But what fascinated me was how
differently they behaved at that same point. To understand this, I looked into their rates of
change basically, how fast the animals’ weights are increasing or decreasing as they grow
longer.
According to OpenStax Calculus, the rate of change of a function at a given point is
represented by its derivative.
- For the quadratic function f(x) = x², the derivative is:
f'(x) = 2x
So at x = 5,
f'(5) = 2(5) = 10
This means that at 5 feet, the weight of Animal F is increasing at a rate of 10 tons per
foot.
- For the linear function g(x) = -5x, the derivative is constant:
g'(x) = -5
So at every point, including x = 5, the rate of change is -5 tons per foot.
(ii) Calculating and Comparing the Slopes Between Two Points on Each Graph
To deepen the analysis, I picked two points from each function (excluding the origin and
point A) and calculated the average rate of change (a.k.a slope) between them.
For f(x) = x²:
C = (2, 4)
D = (4, 16)
Slope_CD = (16 - 4) / (4 - 2) = 12 / 2 = 6
This shows that between 2 and 4 feet, an Animal’s weight increases on average by 6 tons
for every foot of growth.
For g(x) = -5x:
E = (3, -15)
F = (6, -30)
Slope EF = (-30 - (-15)) / (6 - 3) = -15 / 3 = -5
This matches what we already know — a constant decrease in weight of 5 tons per foot,
no matter the length interval.
Task 4: Graph Analysis
This graph presents a periodic function that oscillates smoothly, which is characteristic of
trigonometric functions such as sine or cosine. The shape suggests that the function goes
through several turning points, known as local extrema. These are points where the graph
changes direction either from increasing to decreasing (local maximum) or from
decreasing to increasing (local minimum).
Local Extrema and Their Distinction from Global Maxima and Minima
Local extrema refers to peaks and valleys in a graph that are not necessarily the highest or
lowest points overall but are higher or lower than nearby points. In contrast, the
maximum or minimum values of a function are the absolute highest or lowest points over
the entire domain of the function.
Point A (-11, 1): Local maximum — the function rises to this point and then begins to
decrease. It is not the overall highest point on the function but is a peak in its local
interval.
Point B (-8, -1): Local minimum — the function decreases to this point and then begins
to increase. It is a trough in the wave pattern.
Point C (-5, 1): Another local maximum — the same peak value as Point A but occurs
further along the x-axis.
Point D (-2, -1): Another local minimum — the function again dips here before rising.
Point E (1.57, 1): Local maximum — this point lies near, where the sine function
typically reaches its peak.
Point F (4.71, -1): Local minimum — near, matching a typical sine function trough.
Point G (7.85, 1): Local maximum — another peak in the oscillating function.
Point H (11, -1): Local minimum — another valley in the function.
These extrema illustrate that the function moves continuously between these high and
low points but never settles at a single global maximum or minimum due to its periodic
nature.
Intervals of Increase and Decrease
To understand the behavior of the function between each point, observe the direction of
the curve:
Interval (A, B): Decreasing — the function drops from local maximum at A to local
minimum at B.
Interval (B, C): Increasing — the curve rises from B to C.
Interval (C, D): Decreasing — the function falls from C to D.
Interval (D, E): Increasing — the graph ascends from D to E.
Interval (E, F): Decreasing — the function drops from E to F.
Interval (F, G): Increasing — the curve goes upward from F to G.
Interval (G, H): Decreasing — the function declines from G to H.
The consistent alternation between increasing and decreasing intervals confirms the
periodic behavior and presence of repeating local maxima and minima. Each cycle shows
a smooth transition, emphasizing the continuity of the function.
Task 5
(i) Representing the Tax Rule as a Piecewise Function
Let the income be denoted by X, and let the tax be denoted by
T(x).
According to the taxation system in country W, the tax function can be defined as a
piecewise function as follows:
𝑇(x) = 0.10x if 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 0.10x
0.10(2200)+0.185(x−2200)
0.10(2200)+0.185(8945−2200)+0.30(x−8945)
If 0≤x≤2200
If 2200<x≤8945
If x>8945
To demonstrate how the tax system works for each income slab, let's choose one income
value from each bracket.
1: Income x=2000
(This falls in the first slab: 0≤x≤2200)
T(2000)=0.10×2000= $200
2: Income x=4000
(This falls in the second slab: 2200<x≤8945)
T(4000)=0.10(2200)+0.185(4000−2200)
=220+0.185(1800)
=220+333= $553
3: Income x=10000
(This falls in the third slab: x>8945)
T(10000)=0.10(2200)+0.185(8945−2200)+0.30(10000−8945)
=220+0.185(6745)+0.30(1055)
=220+1247.825+316.5
= $1784.33
References
Abramson, J. (2023). Algebra and trigonometry (2nd ed.). OpenStax.
https://openstax.org/details/books/algebra-and-trigonometry-2e
Stitz, C., & Zeager, J. (2013). College algebra. Stitz Zeager Open Source Mathematics.
https://stitz-zeager.com/szca07042013.pdf
Yoshiwara, K. (2020). Modeling, functions, and graphs. American Institute of
Mathematics. https://yoshiwarabooks.org/mfg/colophon-1.html