Modelling Data and Practical Situations

Models for Data

When we collect a set of data, we often want to describe as accurately as possible a function that
could generate the same points or at least a good approximation of them. To do this, we need to
know what shape the points take, this is best done by plotting the data. If the shape is recognisable, a
model can be easily fit to the data. However, so situations require a combination (sum, difference, or
product) of functions to more accurately describe the model.

Features that Enable the Recognition of General Forms of Possible Models

Positive Power Model 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 Proportional to the 𝑛th power.
𝑎 Inversely proportional to the 𝑛th power (has asymptotic
Negative Power Model 𝑦 = ⎯⎯⎯
𝑥 behaviour).
Linear Model 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 Constantly increasing or decreasing.
Polynomial Model Takes the shape of a polynomial.
Sinusoidal (Sine or Cosine) Model Oscillation between two values.
𝑦 = 𝑎 sin 𝑏𝑥 or 𝑦 = 𝑎 cos 𝑏𝑥
Exponential Model 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑒 Increasing or decreasing exponentially (decreasing has
asymptotic behaviour).
Logarithmic Model 𝑦 = 𝑎 log 𝑏𝑥 Slow growth or decay, or data ranges over orders of
magnitude .

Example VCAA 2000 Exam 1 Question 4

𝑥 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
𝑦 1.7 3.2 1.5 0.5 1.2 2.6 3.4 2.3

The data in the above table would be best modelled using a circular function.

Example VCAA 2001 Exam 1 Question 12

The relationship between two quantities, 𝑥 and 𝑦, is
represented graphically as shown below.

If 𝒂 is a negative real constant, the equation relating 𝑥

and 𝑦 is most likely to be of the form 𝑦 = 𝑒

Models using Combinations of Functions

Example VCAA 2014 Exam 2 Question 3
In a controlled experiment, Juan took some medicine at 8 pm.
The concentration of medicine in his blood was then
measured at regular intervals. The concentration of medicine
in Juan’s blood is modelled by the function
5
𝑐(𝑡) = ⎯⎯𝑡𝑒 ⎯⎯⎯, 𝑡 ≥ 0, where 𝑐 is the concentration of
2
medicine in his blood, in milligrams per litre, 𝑡 hours after 8
pm. Part of the graph of the function 𝑐 is shown below.
Example VCAA 2006 Sample Exam 2 Question 5
A small object is oscillating up and down at the end of a vertical spring. The object is ℎ metres
3𝜋𝑡
above its starting point at time 𝑡 seconds, where ℎ = 0.5 1 − 𝑒 . cos ⎯⎯⎯ , and 𝑡 > 0.
2

Piecewise Function / Hybrid Function

A function that takes the shape of different functions at different sections of its domain.

Example VCAA 2007 Exam 2 Question 2

Tasmania Jones is attempting to recover the lost Zambeji diamond. The diamond is buried at a point
4 km into Death Gorge, which is infested with savage insects. In order to recover the diamond,
Tasmania will need to run into the gorge, dig up the diamond and return the same way that he came.
The concentration of insects in the gorge is a continuous function of time. The concentration 𝐶,
insects per square metre, is given by
𝜋(𝑡 − 8)
𝐶(𝑡) = 1000 cos ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ 2
+ 2 − 1000 8 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 16
8000 0 ≤ 𝑡 < 6 or 16 < 𝑡 ≤ 24
where 𝑡 is the number of hours after midnight. The graph of 𝐶 has been graphed for 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 24.