Task one
The domain of a function is the set of all possible *x-values* for which the
graph is defined. Looking at this graph, it moves from the left to the right
horizontally
So, the domain is (-10,-5, 0, 5, 10)
The range is the set of all possible y-values the function takes. From the
graph, it moves from down up
So, the range is (-10, -5, 0, 5, 10)
(ii) Does this graph represent a function and a one-one function?
To determine if a graph is a function, we use the Vertical Line Test
If any vertical line crosses the graph only once at any point, it’s a function.
In this graph, no vertical line would cross the graph more than once at the
same x-value, so Yes, this is a function
Is it a one-one function?
The graph must pass the Horizontal Line Test.
From the graph, some horizontal lines like at y = 5 would cross the graph
in more than one place. That means different x-values give the same y-
value. So no, it is not a one-one function.
Task 2
Task 3: Graphical Interpretation of Weight-Length Relationships in Two
Animal Species
In this task, I was asked to analyze the graphs of two mathematical
functions a quadratic function and a linear one both of which describe
the relationship between the length (x in feet) and weight (y in tons) of
two animals. The functions provided are:
- \( f(x) = x^2 \), a parabola opening upwards
- \( g(x) = -5x \), a straight line with a negative slope
These graphs intersect at point \( A = (5, 25) \), which is the core of this
analysis. I’ll break down my understanding and findings in two parts.
(i) Determining the Rates of Change at the Point of Intersectio
From the graph, it’s clear that the two functions intersect at the point A (5,
25) meaning both animals weigh 25 tons when they are 5 feet long. But
what fascinated me was how differently they behave at that same point.
To understand this, I looked into their rates of change basically, how fast
the animals’ weights are increasing or decreasing as they grow longer.
According to *OpenStax Calculus, the rate of change of a function at a
given point is represented by its derivative.
- For the quadratic function \( f(x) = x^2 \), the derivative is:
\[
F’(x) = 2x
\]
So at \( x = 5 \),
\[
F’(5) = 2(5) = 10
\]
This means that at 5 feet, the weight of Animal f is increasing at a rate of
**10 tons per foot**. That’s pretty steep growth — it suggests that this
animal bulks up rapidly as it gets longer.
- For the linear function \( g(x) = -5x \), the derivative is constant:
\[
G’(x) = -5
\]
So at **every point**, including \( x = 5 \), the rate of change is **-5 tons
per foot**. That is, Animal g **loses** weight steadily as it increases in
length.
### **(ii) Calculating and Comparing the Slopes Between Two Points on
Each Graph**
To deepen the analysis, I picked two points from each function (excluding
the origin and point A), and calculated the **average rate of change**
(a.k.a slope) between them.
#### For **f(x) = x²**:
I chose points:
- C = (2, 4)
- D = (4, 16)
Using the slope formula:
\[
\text{Slope}_{CD} = \frac{y_2 – y_1}{x_2 – x_1} = \frac{16 – 4}{4 – 2}
= \frac{12}{2} = 6
\]
This shows that between 2 and 4 feet, Animal f’s weight increases **on
average** by 6 tons for every foot of growth.
For g(x) = -5x
E = (3, -15)
F = (6, -30)
Slope EF= 6−3−30−(−15)= 3−15 =−5
This matches what we already know a constant decrease in weight of 5
tons per foot, no matter the length interval.