Identifying the Key Elements

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 86 views

Introduction

Rational functions are a powerful tool in mathematics, used to model real-world situations and solve problems. In this article, we will explore how rational functions can be used to model a specific scenario, where a company president sets a goal to increase the percentage of working phones from 30% to at least 80% by the end of the day. We will analyze the situation, identify the key elements, and create an inequality to model this situation.

The Situation

The company president has set a goal to increase the percentage of working phones from 30% to at least 80% by the end of the day. This means that the number of working phones must increase from 30% to 80% of the total number of phones. Let's assume that there are 100 phones in total. The number of working phones at the beginning of the day is 30% of 100, which is 30 phones. The number of working phones at the end of the day must be at least 80% of 100, which is 80 phones.

Identifying the Key Elements

To create an inequality to model this situation, we need to identify the key elements:

The initial number of working phones: 30 phones
The final number of working phones: at least 80 phones
The total number of phones: 100 phones

Creating the Inequality

Let's use the variable x to represent the number of working phones at the end of the day. We want to find the value of x that satisfies the condition that the number of working phones is at least 80% of the total number of phones. We can write this as an inequality:

x ≥ 0.8(100)

Simplifying the inequality, we get:

x ≥ 80

This means that the number of working phones at the end of the day must be at least 80.

Modeling with Rational Functions

Now that we have created the inequality, we can use rational functions to model this situation. A rational function is a function that can be written in the form:

f(x) = p(x) / q(x)

where p(x) and q(x) are polynomials.

In this case, we can use the rational function:

f(x) = x / 100

This function models the situation where the number of working phones at the end of the day is x, and the total number of phones is 100.

Graphing the Rational Function

To visualize the situation, we can graph the rational function. The graph of the function will show the number of working phones at the end of the day as a function of the total number of phones.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored how rational functions can be used to model a real-world situation. We have identified the key elements, created an inequality to model the situation, and used rational functions to model the situation. We have also graphed the rational function to visualize the situation.

Real-World Applications

Rational functions have many real-world applications, including:

Modeling population growth
Modeling economic systems
Modeling physical systems
Modeling engineering systems

Tips and Tricks

When working with rational functions, it's essential to:

Identify the key elements of the situation
Create an inequality to model the situation
Use rational functions to model the situation
Graph the rational function to visualize the situation

By following these tips and tricks, you can effectively use rational functions to model real-world situations and solve problems.

References

[1] "Rational Functions" by Math Open Reference
[2] "Modeling with Rational Functions" by Khan Academy
[3] "Rational Functions in Real-World Applications" by Wolfram Alpha

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored how rational functions can be used to model a real-world situation, where a company president sets a goal to increase the percentage of working phones from 30% to at least 80% by the end of the day. We created an inequality to model this situation and used rational functions to model the situation. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about modeling with rational functions.

Q&A

Q: What is a rational function?

A: A rational function is a function that can be written in the form:

f(x) = p(x) / q(x)

where p(x) and q(x) are polynomials.

Q: What are some real-world applications of rational functions?

A: Rational functions have many real-world applications, including:

Modeling population growth
Modeling economic systems
Modeling physical systems
Modeling engineering systems

Q: How do I create an inequality to model a situation?

A: To create an inequality to model a situation, you need to identify the key elements of the situation and write an inequality that represents the relationship between the variables.

Q: What is the difference between a rational function and a polynomial function?

A: A rational function is a function that can be written in the form:

f(x) = p(x) / q(x)

where p(x) and q(x) are polynomials. A polynomial function is a function that can be written in the form:

f(x) = p(x)

where p(x) is a polynomial.

Q: How do I graph a rational function?

A: To graph a rational function, you can use a graphing calculator or a computer algebra system. You can also use a table of values to create a graph.

Q: What are some tips and tricks for working with rational functions?

A: Some tips and tricks for working with rational functions include:

Identifying the key elements of the situation
Creating an inequality to model the situation
Using rational functions to model the situation
Graphing the rational function to visualize the situation

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when working with rational functions?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when working with rational functions include:

Not identifying the key elements of the situation
Not creating an inequality to model the situation
Not using rational functions to model the situation
Not graphing the rational function to visualize the situation

Q: How do I use rational functions to solve problems?

A: To use rational functions to solve problems, you need to:

Identify the key elements of the situation
Create an inequality to model the situation
Use rational functions to model the situation
Graph the rational function to visualize the situation
Use the graph to make conclusions about the situation

Conclusion

In this article, we have answered some frequently asked questions about modeling with rational functions. We have covered topics such as the definition of a rational function, real-world applications, creating an inequality, graphing a rational function, and tips and tricks for working with rational functions. We hope that this article has been helpful in answering your questions about modeling with rational functions.

Real-World Applications

Rational functions have many real-world applications, including:

Modeling population growth
Modeling economic systems
Modeling physical systems
Modeling engineering systems

Tips and Tricks

When working with rational functions, it's essential to:

Identify the key elements of the situation
Create an inequality to model the situation
Use rational functions to model the situation
Graph the rational function to visualize the situation

By following these tips and tricks, you can effectively use rational functions to model real-world situations and solve problems.

References

[1] "Rational Functions" by Math Open Reference
[2] "Modeling with Rational Functions" by Khan Academy
[3] "Rational Functions in Real-World Applications" by Wolfram Alpha