Mathematics program

Algebra MAT2000
ALGEBRA WORKSHEET N°1
Concept of Fuction

Definition

A function 𝒇 is a correspondence rule between two non-empty sets 𝑋 and 𝑌. When for each
element of the set 𝑋 corresponds only one element of the set 𝑌
X Y The image shows a function between X
X
set (polygon) and Y set (numbers).

The function is defined by the following:

To each polygon corresponds its
number of sides.

Notation:
A function is usually represented by the expression 𝒇(𝒙), in which:
𝑓: Dependent Variable
𝑥 : Independient Variable
The expression 𝑓(𝑥) means that 𝑓 depends on 𝑥 and it is read “𝑓 of 𝑥”.

Domain: Is the set of elements (values of x) for which the function 𝑓 relates some elements
of the set Y (values of y)

Representations: A functions can be represented in different ways. Let us analyze the most
common ones with an example:

Graphic:
Algebraic : 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 3

Numeric:

𝑥 1 2 3 4 …

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑦 5 7 9 11 …

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 Mathematics program
Algebra MAT2000
1. The average child’s height 𝒇 in centimeters during the first year of life can be
2
estimated by the function 𝑓(𝑥) =
3
∙ 𝑥 + 48 , where 𝑥 quantity of months from

the birth.

a) Define the dependent and independent variable, indicating the measurement

unit.
b) Determine the domain of the function 𝑓(𝑥) and contextualized domainNote1

c) Determine and interpret 𝑓(6) and 𝑓(8)

d) If a child is 50 cm, how many months of life he is?
e) Is it possible to calculate how many months old would a child be if his height
is 68 cm?

2. Young's rule allows us to calculate the dose (in mg) of drug to be administered
to children from 1 to 12 years old, known the normal adult dose.
If the normal dose of paracetamol for an adult is 500 mg, then Young's rule is
500𝑥
given by the function 𝑑(𝑥) = 𝑥+12 , where x corresponds to the age of the

children (in years).

a) Define the dependent and independent variable, indicating the measurement

unit.
b) Define the domain of the function 𝑑(𝑥) and contextualized domain.
c) Is it right to administer 512 mg of paracetamol to a 10.5 years old child?
d) Determine and interpret 𝑑(7)
e) How much medication should be administered to a 2 years 6 months old
child?
f) If a child is administered with 180 mg of paracetamol, what is his age?

_____________

Note1
Contextualized Domain: Is the domain of a function limited to the context of the problem

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 Mathematics program
Algebra MAT2000
3. The owner of a bakery determined that the number of beef turnovers
[empanadas] sold in a week depends on its price and is given by the linear
function 𝐸(𝑥) = 5.000 − 4𝑥. If the price ranges from $ 550 to $ 900 answer the
following:

a) Define the dependent and independent variable, indicating measurement unit

b) Write contextualized domain of the function
c) Determine and interpret 𝐸(600)

d) If 𝐸(600) = 1580, determine the value of 𝑥 and interpret the results

4. The following chart shows the height of a forklift [montacargas] in a

construction in function of time. Consider the time measured in minutes and the
height in meters.

a) Write the name of each axis (remember to indicate measurement unit).

b) Write contextualized domain of the function.
c) Interpret the coordinates of point B given in the graph.
d) Estimate and interpret f (1). Write the coordinates (1, f (1)) on the graph.
e) If f (x) = 75, estimate the values of x and interpret results.
f) If the forklift comes back and its height is 45 meters, estimate the time
since the route began.
g) Using algebraic form of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = −25𝑥 2 + 100𝑥 determine 𝑓(2)
and 𝑓(3,55), then interpret the results.
h) How many minutes have passed since the route began for the traveled
distance to be 125 meters?

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 Mathematics program
Algebra MAT2000
5. A radioactive substance disintegrates as time goes by. This situation is
represented by the exponential function 𝑅(𝑥) = 1600 ∙ 0,25𝑥 where the
measurement unit R is in grams and the time is in months.

a) Write the name of each axis.

b) Interpret the coordinates of point A.
c) Determine and interpret R (5).
d) If R (x) = 400, estimate the value of x and interpret.
e) Write the contextualized domain of the function.

6. Near the surface of the Earth, all bodies fall with the same constant acceleration
of 9,8 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 . Freefall experiments made by Galileo allow us to calculate the

distance traveled by an object considering its fall time according to the

following function:
1
𝑆(𝑡) = ∙ 9,8 ∙ 𝑡 2
2

a) Define the dependent and independent variable, indicating measurement unit

b) How many meters makes a heavy ball, dropped from rest in the first three
seconds?
c) How many meters has the ball gone from second two to second five?
d) If an object is dropped from a building and went down 78.4 meters until it
reached the floor, how many seconds was it in the air?

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 Mathematics program
Algebra MAT2000
7. 7. The following graph show the score obtained in a multiple choice test (there
are not midpoints) with 60% of requisite.

a) Write the name of each axis.

b) Write the domain of the functions contextualized.
c) Interpret the coordinates of point D.
d) Estimate and interpret R (20)
e) Estimate the value x for which A (x) equals 5.5
f) When does 𝑅(𝑥) = 𝐴(𝑥)?

8. An insurance company examined the record of a group of individuals

hospitalized for a particular disease. It was found that the rate for discharged
individuals over the total, at the end of 𝑡 days of hospitalization, is given by the
function 𝑃(𝑡), where:
3
 300 
P(t )  1   
 300  t 

a) Define the dependent and independent variable, indicating measurement

unit
b) Determine and interpret P (0)
c) What is the rate of individuals who have been discharged at the end of day
100? What percentage is it?
d) If 𝑃(𝑡) = 0,488 determine the value of t. interpret the result.

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 Mathematics program
Algebra MAT2000
9. The height of a flower depends on the provided water and the climate.
Considering these conditions are optimal, for x days after being planted, the
flower will have a height according to the logarithmic function:
𝐴(𝑥) = 5 + 3 ∙ log(𝑥 + 1) where the measurement unit of A is centimeters.

a) Write the name of each axis.

b) What was the initial height of the plant?
c) Define the contextualized domain of the function.
d) If A (x) = 8, using the graphic estimate the value of x and interpret the
results.
e) Determine and interpret 𝐴(60)

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 Mathematics program
Algebra MAT2000
Keep training:

Solve the following exercises:

10. 3𝑥 a) 𝑓(12)
If 𝑓(𝑥) = − 13, determine:
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b) Value of 𝑥 given f(𝑥) = −12,1

11. 250𝑥 a) 𝑓(10)

If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥−12, determine:
b) Value of 𝑥 given 𝑓(𝑥) = 1250

12. If 𝑓(𝑥) = −3000 + 4𝑥, determine: a) 𝑓(−4)

b) Value of 𝑥 given 𝑓(𝑥) = −3020

13. If 𝑓(𝑥) = −25𝑥 2 + 100, determine: a) 𝑓(1)

b) Value of 𝑥 given 𝑓 (𝑥) = −300

14. If 𝑓(𝑥) = 300 ∙ 0,25𝑥 , determine: a) 𝑓(2)

b) Value of 𝑥 given 𝑓 (𝑥) = 300

15. If 𝑓(𝑡) = 9,8 ∙ 𝑥 2, determine: a) 𝑓(12)

b) Value of 𝑥 given 𝑓 (𝑥) = 15,562

16. 20 3 a) 𝑓(8)
If 𝑓(𝑥) = 1 − ( ) , determine:
20+𝑥
b) Value of 𝑥 given 𝑓 (𝑥) = 0,488

17. If𝑓(𝑥) = 5 + 8 ∙ log(5𝑥), determine: a) 𝑓(12)

b) 𝑓(1)