34 For instructional purposes only, 1st Semester Ay 2020-2021

Lesson 7.3: Applications of Polynomial and

Rational Functions

Lesson Summary
In this lesson, we will apply the concept of the polynomial and rational
functions in real-life situations. Most applications are applied in the fields of
Geometry, Physics, Engineering, Economy and Business. This shows the
importance of understanding the word problem as we find what is asked.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to apply the polynomial
and rational functions in solving real-life situations.

Motivation Question
How do we apply polynomial and rational functions in our everyday lives?
Where do we usually see their applications?

Discussion

Applications of the Quadratic function

Quadratic function has a lot of possible applications due to its nature being
parabolic in form as well as having a vertex that can be a maximum or
minimum. Its applications are applied in the fields of Geometry, Physics,
Engineering, Economy and Business. Most of the applications involves
maximization or minimization. That is because, once a relationship between
variables are established in a quadratic equation, finding the maximum or
minimum can be simply done by identifying its vertex.

Example. Maximum and Minimum

Finding maximum or minimum is simple but sometimes confusing. It is
important to remember that for a vertex to be at maximum or minimum, we
should know the sign of the first term or leading term (the term with variable of
higher degree) of the quadratic equation. When the sign of the first term is in
negative, the parabola curves downward, hence the vertex is at maximum.
When the sign is positive, the parabola curves upward, hence the vertex is at
minimum.

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1. A backyard farmer wants to enclose a rectangular space for a new garden

within her fenced backyard. She has purchased 800 feet of wire fencing to
enclose three sides, and she will use a section of the backyard fence as
the fourth side. (From Abramson, 2017 p. 351)

Figure 21. A solution of the maximization problem and its associated graph
when analyzed. Source: Abramson, 2017.

2. The unit price of an item affects its supply and demand. That is, if the unit
price goes up, the demand for the item will usually decrease. For example,
a local newspaper currently has 84,000 subscribers at a quarterly charge
of $30. Market research has suggested that if the owners raise the price to
$32, they would lose 5,000 subscribers. Assuming that subscriptions are
linearly related to the price, what price should the newspaper charge for a
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quarterly subscription to maximize their revenue? (From Abramson, 2017 p.

352)

Figure 22. A solution for the maximum revenue problem and its associated
graph for analysis. Source: Abramson, 2017.

3. A small local soft-drink manufacturer has daily production cost of C =

70,000 – 120x + 0.075x2, where C is the total cost (in dollars) and x is the
number of units produced. How many units should be produced each day
to yield a minimum cost? (From Larson and Hostetler, 2007 p. 133)

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Figure 23. A solution for the minimum cost problem. Source: Larson and
Hostetler, 2007.

4. Find the two real numbers when their sum is 110 whose product is a
maximum.

Solution:
Let x and y be the two real numbers and P be the product of the two.
x + y = 110
xy = P

we can formulate a function with x as variable (or P(x))

P(x) = xy ; y = 110 – x
P(x) = x(110 - x)
P(x) = 110x – x2

The sign of the first term (or leading term) is negative, so we actually
expect a vertex at maximum. We can now find the vertex.
h
h=- t=- = 55

hence the two numbers are 55 and 55.

Solving Polynomial Function

Polynomial functions are created based on the relationship between two
variables. Maximum and minimum problems is not only limited to the
quadratic. It can still be used in three dimensions though the resulted
equation has a degree of three because we are dealing with volumes. There
are also other applications which will be mentioned in the following examples.

Example. Formulating Polynomial functions

1. Combination of two functions. An oil pipeline bursts in the Gulf of
Mexico, causing an oil slick in a roughly circular shape. The slick is
currently 24 miles in radius, but that radius is increasing by 8 miles each
week. Write a formula of the area covered by the slick based on the
number of weeks. (From Abramson, 2017 p. 364)

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Solution: We want to write a formula of the area covered by the oil slick
by combining the two functions. The radius (r) of spill depends on the
number of weeks (w) that had passed, thus
r(w) = 24 + 8w
combining with the area of a circle,
A = πr2
A = π(24 + 8w)2
A = π(576 + 384w + 64w2)

Maxima and Minima on a Cubic function. Before solving the next problem,
we will discuss first about the “vertex” of a cubic function or “turning points in
general”. Unlike quadratic function, cubic function has two turning points
where they can be a local maxima or minima. Turning points are the points
at which the graph changes direction from increasing to decreasing or from
decreasing to increasing. These turning points are difficult to determine in an
algebraic manner. To derive this, we will use the “first derivative test” (to
discuss further in Differential Calculus) to solve for these turning points.

Let y = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d as a given function f(x). So,

y = ax3 + bx2 + cx + d using first derivative test,

y’ = 3ax2 + 2bx + c

It is observed that the result of the first derivative test (y’) forms a quadratic
equation. Setting that equation equal to zero, we will now use the quadratic
formula to identify the turning points.

Let A = 3a, B = 2b, and C = c. Using the quadratic formula:

th
x= h
t ሺt ܽ t t ሺt ܽ t ሺtܽ
x= ሺt
= ሺt
= ሺt
ሺtܽ
x= ሺt
removing the common factor, which is 2, thus,
th
x= th
critical value

The turning point is a point (x, y) with x-value as a critical value. So what we
actually derived is a critical value which can lead into a maximum or minimum
y-value. The y-value can be determined by evaluating them at xcrit or f(xcrit).
The next example applies this formula.

Figure 24. A graph illustrating the turning points. Source: Abramson, 2017
p.368

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2. Maximum Volume. An open box is to be made from a square piece of

material, 36 inches on a side, by cutting equal squares with sides of length (x)
from the corners and turning up the sides (see figure). (From Larson and
Hostetler, 2007 p. 150)

Figure 25. An illustration of the open box of height x. Source: Larson and
Hostetler, 2007.

a. Create a function with the volume of a box as a function of its height

(x).
b. Find the height of the box that would achieve a maximum volume.

Solution:
a. The volume of a geometric figure is generalized in the form of:

V = bh

Where b is the base area and h is the height. Looking at the figure
above, the height is represented by x while the base area is actually
an area of a square with side 36 – 2x in. Hence,

V = (36 – 2x)2(x) simplifying further,

V(x) = x(1296 – 144x + 4x2)
V(x) = 1296x – 144x2 + 4x3

b. To solve for the height that achieve the maximum volume, we have to
determine the critical values. But first, we have to arrange the function
from the highest exponent to constant. Hence,
V(x) = y = 4x3 – 144x2 + 1296 simplifying them,
V(x) = x – 36x + 324
3 2

ሺtܽ ሺ ሺ ሺ ሺ t
x= ሺt
= ሺ
ሺ
x= ሺ
ሺ 㘮 ሺ
x= ሺ
= 18 ; x = ሺ
=6

We now have two critical values, 18 and 6. Just substitute them to the
original volume equation to solve for the volume. Thus,
V(18) = 1296(18) – 144(18)2 + 4(18)3 = 0
V(6) = 1296(6) – 144(6)2 + 4(6)3 = 3456

A box of height 6 inches achieves the maximum volume.

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3. Point of Diminishing Return. In algebra, it is defined as the maximum x-

value as the y-value beyond that maximum x-value will yield or produce less.
It is actually the same with the critical value (xcrit), hence the maximum
problem is involved. Here is the example:

The growth of a red oak tree is approximated by the function G(t) = -0.003t3 +
0.137t2 + 0.458t – 0.839, where G is the growth of the tree in feet and t (2 ≤ t
≤ 34) is the age in years. Estimate the age of the tree when it is growing most
rapidly (point of diminishing return).

Solution:
We are looking for the age (t) of the tree that grows rapidly and after that, the
rate which the tree grows decreases. So, we are actually looking for its
maximum critical value. Using the critical value formula, instead of x, we will
use t as variable. Thus,

ሺtܽ h ሺ h ሺ ሺ h hhሺ h t䁒
t= ሺt
= ሺ h hhሺ
h ሺ h 䁒
t= h hh͵
h ሺ 㘮h 䁒 h ሺ h 䁒
t= h hh͵
= -1.555 ; x = h hh͵
= 32

We will use t = 32 years since there is no negative time. As a proof,

G(32) = -0.003(32)3 + 0.137(32)2 + 0.458(32) – 0.839 = 55.801 feet
So, any values beyond 32 will have its growth decrease. You can try to
substitute any values beyond 32 (like 33) if you want to make it sure.

The Use of the Division of Polynomials

In a situation where instead of a numerical value, all values are expressed in
algebraic expressions. A factoring can be done to divide polynomials, that is,
if you were able to determine the factors with ease. Most of the problem
involves a function in cubic form and above. With the knowledge of the
division of polynomials, we can be sure to come up with the same answer as
we check them for proof by simple substitution.

Example 3. Using Polynomial division in an application

problem
The volume of a rectangular solid is given by the polynomial 3x4 – 3x3 – 33x2
+ 54x. The length of solid is given by 3x and the width is given by x – 2. Find
the height (h) of the solid. (From Abramson, 2017 p. 399)

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Figure 26. The solution to the problem on the volume of rectangular solid.
Source: Abramson, 2017.

We can check the solution by substituting any values above 0 since the
domain of the volume as well as the rest of the expression is a set of real
numbers greater than 0 (x = {x | x > 0}).

Let x = 5 cm, then,

V(5) = 3(5)4 – 3(5)3 – 33(5)2 + 54(5) = 945 cm3
L = 3x = 3(5) = 15 cm
W = x – 2 = 5 – 2 = 3 cm
H = x2 + x – 9 = (5)2 + 5 – 9 = 21 cm

V = LWH re-equating and substitute the values

͵t䁒
H= 쳌= 䁒 ሺ
= 21 cm

Applications of Rational Function

Rational functions, like the polynomial functions, also have a lot of real-world
applications. While most common applications are in the fields of economy
and business, others include Geometry and Chemistry.

Example 4. Applications of Rational Function

1. Cost-Benefit Model. A utility company burns coal to produce electricity.
The cost C (in dollars) of removing p% of the smokestack pollutants is
given by
h hhh
C = hh

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For 0 ≤ p < 100. (From Larson and Hostetler, 2007 p. 191)

a. Sketch the graph of the function.
b. You are a member of a state legislature considering a law that would
require utility companies to remove 90% of the pollutants from their
smokestack emissions. The current law requires 85% removal. How
much additional cost would the utility company incur as a result of the
new law?

Figure 27. The solution to the problem on Cost-benefit Model. Source:

Larson and Hostetler, 2007.

2. Finding a minimum area. A rectangular page is designed to contain 48

in2 of print. The margins at the top and bottom of the page are 1 inch
deep. The margins on both sides are 1 ½ inch wide. What should be the
dimension of the page so that the least amount of paper is used? (From
Larson and Hostetler, 2007 p. 192)

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Solution
Let A be the area of a page and x and
y be the sides if the printable area.
Looking at the dimension from Figure
28,

A = bh = (x + 3)(y + 2)
Figure 28. dimension of a page.
The printable area is represented Credit: Larson and
by xy = 48. Re-equating into y = Hostetler, 2007
48/x and substitute to the main
equation,

t 㘮 㘮䁒t 㘮 tt
A = (x + 3)( )= ;x>0

Make a table of values assigning x-values from 1-10,

Figure 29. The solution on finding the minimum area by table of values.
Credit: Larson and Hostetler, 2007

Hence, the size of a page is approximately 11.5 in x 7.6 in

Assessment
Instruction. Solve the following as required. Make sure to have an illustration
or figure as reference to the problem if needed.

1. A baseball is hit at a point 1 meter above the ground at a velocity of

30 meters per second at an angle of 30° with respect to the ground.
The path of the baseball is given by the function f(t) = 1 + 15t – 4.9t2

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where f(t) is the height of the baseball (in meters) and t is time (in
seconds).
a. Find the time it takes the baseball to reach the maximum height.
b. Find the maximum height of the baseball.
2. Find the dimension of the rectangular corral producing the greatest
enclosed area given 200 meters of fencing.
3. Find the two integers whose difference is 12 and their product is the
smallest.
4. A carpenter is fabricating roof gutter using a 12-inch width aluminum
sheeting. The carpenter plans to use siding folding press to create
the gutter by folding equal lengths for the sidewalls as shown in the
figure. Let x be the height of the
sidewall.
a. If the length of the gutter is 16
feet, write a function that
represents the volume of one
run gutter in terms of x.
b. Find the height of the sidewall
that will produce a maximum volume.
5. A rectangle is twice as long as it is wide. Squares of side 2 feet are
cut out from each corner. Then the sides are folded up to make an
open box. Express the volume of the box as a function of the width
(x).
6. A cube has an edge of 3 feet. The edge is increasing at the rate of 2
feet per minute. Express the volume of the cube as a function of m,
the number of minutes elapsed.
7. The volume of the cylinder is expressed as V(x) = π(25x3 - 65x2 –
29x – 3 and the radius is 5x + 1. Find the height of the cylinder.
8. The cost C (in million dollars) of removing p% of the industrial and
municipal pollutants discharged into a river is given by
䁒䁒
C = hh , 0 ≤ p < 100
a. Sketch the graph of the cost function.
b. Find the cost of removing 10%, 40% and 75% of the pollutants.
c. Currently your law requires 80% removal of the pollutants. The
new implemented law requires you to remove 95% of the
pollutants. How much will be the additional cost?

References

1. ABRAMSON, J. 2017. College Algebra. OpenstaxTM.

https://d3bxy9euw4e147.cloudfront.net/oscms
prodcms/media/documents/CollegeAlgebra-OP.pdf

2. CASTILLO, L.L., CEJALVO, F.V., REYES, F.N., and TANGCO, J.T.

2009. College Algebra. National Book Store, 125 Pioneer Street,
Mandaluyong City 1550

3. LARSON, R, and R.P. HOSTETLER. 2004. College Algebra, 6th ed.

Houghton Mifflin Co., 222 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116-3764.

4. LARSON, R, and R.P. HOSTETLER. 2007. Pre-Calculus, 7th ed.

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