Nompilo Dube

University of the People

Math Assignment Unit 3

MATH 1201-01 College Algebra

Chuahan, J. (Instructor)

December 5, 2024

Task 1:

(i)

(a) Domain and Range

1. Domain:

The domain represents the possible time values, starting from the moment the jumper

leaps. Since the motion is complete when the jumper touches the river (h(t)=0, the

domain is:

[0,t river],where t river is the time when h(t)=0

Range:
 The range is the set of all possible height values. Since the jumper starts at 210 m, falls to

a minimum of h(t)=0, and doesn’t go higher, the range is:

[0,210] m.

Physical Significance:

 Domain: Represents the time interval during which the jumper is in motion.

 Range: Represents the height interval from the bridge to the river's surface.

b) Vertex of h(t)

The vertex formula for h(t)=−0.5 t 2+ v 0 t+h 0= is given by:

−v 0
t=
2 (−0.5 )

Since V 0 , the vertex is at t=0, and the height is:

h(0)=−0.5 ( 0 )2 +210=210 m.

Interpretation: The vertex represents the initial height from which the jumper begins. In this

case, the jumper does not rise higher than their starting height.

c) The maximum height occurs at the vertex, t=0

 Time to maximum height: 0s

 Maximum height: 210m

The jumper starts at their maximum height since there is no upward motion (initial velocity v 0=0

).

d) To find when h(t)=11

2
−0.5 t + 210=11

Rearranging:

−0.5 t =−199⇒t =398⇒t=√ 398≈19.95s

2 2

So, the jumper reaches 11 m at approximately t=19.95s

e) Height After 20 Seconds

Substitute t=20

h(20)=−0.5 ( 20 )2 +210

¿−0.5 ( 400 )+210

¿−200+210

¿ 10 m

At 20 seconds, the jumper is 10 m above the river, nearing the surface.

f) Time When the Jumper Touches the River

Set h(t)=0

2 2
−0.5 t + 210=0⇒ −0.5 t =−210
⇒t 2=420

⇒t=√ 420 ≈20.49 s

The jumper touches the river at approximately t=20.49s.

(ii)

a)

b)

 Increasing: None (the jumper starts at maximum height).

  Decreasing: From t=0 to t≈20.49.

c) Axis of Symmetry

The axis of symmetry is t=0 because the motion is symmetric about the jumper’s

initial position. This axis reflects the maximum height being at the start.

d) t-Intercepts: t=20.49s when the jumper touches the river.

e) h-Intercept: h(0)=210m. Represents the starting height of the jumper.

Task 2:

(i) Slope (m) calculations

y 2− y 1 5−7
m= = =−2
x 2−x 1 6−5

Using the point-slope formula y substitute m=-2 (5,7)

y 1=m ( x−x 1 )

y−7=−2 ( x−5 )

y=−2 x +17

∴the equation of the road is y=2x +17

(ii) The slope (mmm) between A and B was calculated as: m=−2
 The slope of −2indicates that for every 1 unit increase in x, y decreases by

2 units, implying a downward incline.

(iii) The change in road elevation (vertical difference) from A to B is: Δy=

y 2− y 1 =5−7=−2

The road descends by 2 units vertically as it moves from A to B. This

descent must be considered for safety measures, such as speed limits or

gradient adjustments.

(iv) Parallel lines have the same slope. Using m=−2 and passing through any

point, say (0,17):

y−17=−2(x−0)⇒y=−2x+17

For a different point, say (0,10):

y−10=−2(x−0)⇒y=−2x+10.

Example parallel route: y=−2x+10

The slope of perpendicular lines is the negative reciprocal. For m=−2, the perpendicular slope is:

m⊥ ¿
1
2

Passing through A(5,7):

1
y−7= ( x−5 )
2

1 5
y= x− +7
2 2

∴ y= x + .
1 9
2 2

(v)
(VI) To find the intercepts:

x-Intercept: Set y=0 in the main road equation y=−2x+17

0=−2x+17 ⇒ x=172=8.5

The x-intercept is (8.5,0)

y-Intercept: Set x=0:

y=−2(0)+17=17

The y-intercept is (0,17)

 The x-intercept represents the point where the road crosses the x-axis.

 The y-intercept represents the point where the road begins on the y-axis.

(VII) Parallel Roads: Infinite parallel roads can be created, as all have the same slope m=−2.

1
Perpendicular Roads: Infinite perpendicular roads are possible, as all have the slope m⊥=
2

Task 3:

(i)
Let:

x = number of units of electricity consumed,

C(x) = total cost of electricity in dollars.

The linear function is:

C(x)=0.78x+50

 0.78x: Variable cost based on the number of units consumed.

 50: Fixed cost, independent of consumption.

(ii) The average rate of change represents how the cost changes with each additional

unit of electricity consumed. For a linear function C(x)=0.78x+50C, this rate is

constant and equals the slope of the function:

Average rate of Change=¿ΔC/∆x=0.78dollars/unit.

Impact on the Monthly Bill:

For every additional unit of electricity consumed, the bill increases by $0.78. This

linear relationship ensures predictability for the consumer’s expenses.

For example:

 If consumption increases from 100 units to 150 units

: ΔC=C ( 150 )−C ( 100 ) =( 0.78 ( 150 ) +50 ) −0.78 ( 100 ) +50 ¿=117−78=39.

Thus, the bill increases by $39 for an additional 50 units consumed.

REFERENCES

Stitz, C., & Zeager, J. (2013). College algebra. Stitz Zeager Open Source

Mathematics.https://my.uopeople.edu/pluginfile.php/1931428/mod_assign/intro/Stitz

%20Zeager.pdf

Yoshiwara, K. (2020). Modeling, functions and graphs. American Institute of

Mathematics. https://yoshiwarabooks.org/mfg/MFG.html

https://www.geogebra.org/calculator