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University of the People

MATH 1201-01 College Algebra - AY2026-T3

Instructor: Dr. Seun Ogunfeyitimi

Math Assignment Unit 3

Date: 16.2.2026
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Task 1

Imagine a scenario involving a bungee jumper leaping from a bridge, with the jumper's height

above the river surface modeled by the equation h(t) = -0.5t2 + v0t + h0 , where h is measured in

meters, t is in seconds, v0 represents the jumper's initial velocity in meters per second, and h0 is

the initial height above the river. Given v0 = 0 m/sec and h0 = 210 meters.

(a) What is the domain and range of h(t)? What is the physical significance of domain and

range in this scenario?

The domain represents all possible values of (time) t. The jumper's domain is [0, T],

where T represents the amount of time it takes to reach the river. This shows the time

during which the jumper is in movement.

The range represents all possible value of height h (t) values. The range begins at a

starting point of 210 meters and ends at the height of the river (0 meters). The range is

[0,210], which represents the jumper's lowest and highest points.

(b) What is the vertex of the given height function, h(t) = -0.5t2 + v0t + h0? What does the

vertex represent in this scenario?

The vertex of a quadratic function is a significant point that indicates either the function's

maximum or minimum (Stitz & Zeager, 2013). In this case the bungee jumper’s height

function h(t) = -0.5t2 + v0t + h0, the vertex is very essential since it shows the jumper's

highest point during the jump.

(c) To find the time at which bungee jumper reaches the maximum height we can us ethe

formula;
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At t = v0/ (-2(-0.5)) = v0, substituting in the given value v0= om/sec, we find that the

bungee reaches the maximum height at 0 seconds. To find the maximum height, given by

h(v0) = -0.5(v0)2 + v0(v0) + h0 = h0 + 0.5v0^2. As a result of the jumper's zero initial

velocity, the maximum height is 210 meters and occurs at 0 seconds.

(d) Time to Reach a Height of 11 m

To find the time the bungee jumper reaches a height of 11 meters, we use the equation

2
−0.5 t + v 0 t+h 0=11.

Solving for t using the quadratic formula,

−v 0 ± √ v 20−4(−0.5)(h0−11)
t= .
2(−0.5)

Substituting the given values v 0=0 m/s and h 0=210 m,

± √ 2(210−11)
t= .
−1

This gives

t=√ 398 ≈ 19.95 s

Since time cannot be negative, the bungee jumper reaches a height of 11 meters after 19.95s or

20s rounded to nearest number.

(e) Height after 20 seconds

To find the height of the bungee jumper after 20 seconds, substitute t=20 into the height

function
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2
h(t)=−0.5 t + 210 .

2
h( 20)=−0.5(20 )+210

¿−0.5(400)+ 210

¿−200+210

h(20)=10 meters.

(f) When will the bungee jumper touch the river?

The height of the bungee jumper as a function of time is given by:

2
h(t )=−0.5 t + 210

The jumper touches the river when h(t)=0 . Setting up the equation:

2
−0.5 t + 210=0

2
−0.5 t =−210

2 −210
t = =420
−0.5

t=√ 420 ≈ 20.49 s

t ≈ 20.5 s

Thus, the bungee jumper touches the river after approximately 20.5 seconds.

(ii) Based on that scenario, answer the following questions that related to the graphical

understanding of the concept:

(a) Draw the graph of the given height function, h(t) = -0.5t2 + v0t + h0
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(b) The horizontal dashed line represents the ground level (h=0)(h = 0)(h=0). The dashed vertical

line represents the starting time (t=0)(t = 0)(t=0). The solid horizontal line at 210 meters

represents the height from which the jumper begins the fall.

From the graph, the height decreases continuously from the moment the jumper starts falling

until reaching the ground at about 20.5 seconds. There is no interval where the height is

increasing, since the graph moves downward for the entire displayed time.

(c) The axis of symmetry of a quadratic function can be found using the formula

−b
t= .
2a

For the function h(t)=−0.5 t 2+ 210, we have a=−0.5 and b=0. Substituting these values gives

−0
t= =0 .
2(−0.5)

Therefore, the axis of symmetry is

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t=0 .

In the context of the bungee jumper, this means the graph is symmetric about t=0 , which

represents the moment the jumper begins to fall. Since the parabola opens downward, the vertex

at (0 , 210) corresponds to the maximum height. From this point onward, the jumper’s height

decreases as time passes.

(d) The h-intercept is the point where the graph meets the height (vertical) axis. This occurs

when t=0 .

h(0)=−0.5 ¿

Therefore, the h-intercept is (0 , 210). This represents the jumper’s initial height, meaning the

jumper starts the fall 210 meters above the river.

The t-intercept is the point where the graph meets the time (horizontal) axis. This happens when

h(t)=0 , indicating that the jumper has reached the river’s surface.
2
−0.5 t + 210=0
2
−0.5 t =−210
2
t =420

t=± √ 420 ≈ ±20.49

Since time cannot be negative in this scenario, we take the positive value. Thus, the t-intercept is

approximately (20.49 , 0). This represents the moment when the jumper contacts the river,

marking the end of the jump.

Task 2

(i) Optimal Route Planning

To determine the equation of the road connecting Points A(5 ,7) and B(6 , 5), we first calculate

the slope of the line.

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y 2− y 1 5−7 −2
m= = = =−2
x 2−x 1 6−5 1

Next, we use the point-slope form of a line:

y− y 1=m(x−x 1)

Substituting point A(5 ,7) and the slope −2:

y−7=−2(x −5)

Now simplify to obtain the slope-intercept form:

y−7=−2 x +10

y=−2 x +17

This equation represents the straight road that directly connects the two critical locations,

ensuring an efficient transportation route.

(ii) Flow Analysis

To determine the slope of the route connecting key locations A(5 ,7) and B(6 , 5), we use the

slope formula:

y 2− y 1
Slope (m)=
x 2−x 1

5−7 −2
m= = =−2
6−5 1

Using the slope-intercept form of a linear equation ( y=mx+b), we can verify the equation of the

road:
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y=−2 x +b

To find the value of b , substitute the coordinates of one of the points (e.g., Point A) into the

equation:

7=−2(5)+b

7=−10+b

b=17

Slope of the road: -2

This negative slope indicates that the road descends from Point A to Point B, an important

consideration for efficient traffic flow and safe road design.

(iii) Enhanced Traffic Safety

To determine the change in road elevation between Points A(5 ,7) and B(6 , 5), we calculate the

difference in their heights (y-values):

Δ y= y 2− y 1

Δ y=5−7=−2

This means the road drops by 2 units when traveling from Point A to Point B. The negative

change indicates a downward slope, which is important for traffic safety. Proper road design

measures such as adequate signage, drainage systems, and controlled speed limits may be

necessary to ensure convenience and reduce potential hazards for drivers.

(iv) Alternate Route Provision

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Parallel roads have the same slope, while perpendicular routes have slopes that are negative

reciprocals of each other.

For the parallel road with the same slope (−2), the generic form would be:

y=−2 x +c

where c is a constant representing the y-intercept.

1
The slope of a perpendicular route is equal to the negative reciprocal of −2, which is .
2

Therefore, the equation of a perpendicular route can be written as:

1
y= x +c
2

where c is the y-intercept that determines the exact position of the route.

(v)

(vi) To determine the intercepts on the x- and y-axes, set y=0y = 0 to find the x-intercept

and set x=0x = 0 to find the y-intercept. The x-intercept is (8.5,0)(8.5, 0), while the y-

intercept is (0,17)(0, 17). Hence, the y-intercept is at 17.

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(vii) Possibilities of Parallel and Perpendicular Roads

By varying the y-intercept (c ) without altering the slope, it is possible to create an unlimited

number of parallel roads. The equation for roads parallel to the planned route, which has a

slope of −2, can be represented as:

y=−2 x +c

where c is the y-intercept of each parallel road and can take any real value. Every distinct value

of c corresponds to a different parallel path.

Task 3

(i) Formulation of the Linear Function

The electricity pricing can be represented by a linear function in which the fixed fee is shown as

the constant term of 50, while the cost of additional units of electricity is represented by the

coefficient 0.78.

Let C (x) represent the total monthly cost of electricity, and let x represent the number of

electricity units consumed. The linear function is therefore:

C (x)=0.78 x +50

where 50 is the fixed charge applied to every household, and 0.78 is the variable cost per unit of

electricity consumed.

(ii) Average Rate of Change and Its Impact

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The rate at which electricity prices change based on consumption levels determines how

fluctuations in usage affect the monthly cost. To find the average rate of change, we calculate the

slope of the linear function, which represents the variable charge per unit.

The slope of the function is:

m=0.78

Consequently, the average price of electricity increases by $0.78 for each additional unit of

power consumed.

In this case, the average rate of change is 0.78, meaning that as a household consumes more units

of electricity, the monthly bill will increase at a constant rate. This steady increase highlights the

importance of monitoring electricity usage, as higher consumption directly leads to higher

overall costs.

References

Yoshiwara, K. (2020). Modeling, Functions and Graphs. American Institute of Mathematics.

Retrieved from [Link]

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

Retrieved from [Link]