VU FOUNDATIONS

Course Code: JYAC,JQAG

Unit name: Algebra and functions
Unit Code: JYU0004

STUDENT ID STUDENT NAME

TASK
• Assignment on polynomials.
• This consists of 5 structured questions.
SUBMISSION

• Submit the completed assessment to your teacher as a hard copy on Friday,29th of

November by 9 am.
GRADING
Total marks: 45
Weighting: 25%
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Outcome 1: Finding the rule, domain and range of functions.
Outcome 2: Deriving and graphing quadratic and cubic functions.

INSTRUCTIONS
1. You must answer all questions.
2. Read each question carefully to ensure you meet the requirements of each question.
3. Write your answers in the question and answer book provided
4. Show all working in your answers.
5. Write your Name and ID in the space provided.
6. A decimal approximation will not be accepted if an exact answer is required to a question.
COMPULSORY STUDENT DECLARATION
Plagiarism means using another person’s intellectual output and presenting it (without appropriate
acknowledgement of the author or source) as one’s own. Plagiarism constitutes academic
misconduct as outlined in the Policy for Academic Honesty and Preventing Plagiarism.
PLEASE SIGN TO INDICATE THAT YOU HAVE SATISFIED THESE REQUIREMENTS
• I have read the policy on Academic Honesty and Preventing Plagiarism and the relevant
referencing guides (or have had this explained to me by my teachers) and understand the
consequences of committing academic misconduct as outlined in the policy.
• This assignment is my own work, I have not participated in collusion, nor have I
previously submitted this or a version of it for assessment in any other Unit of Study at
the University or any other institution without having obtained an approval.
• I have taken proper and reasonable care to prevent this work from being copied by
another student.
• I have carefully read the assessment criteria/rubric that will be used to evaluate my work.

Student signature:
QUESTION 1 [3+3 = 6 marks]

a. A bridge is built across a river, as shown below. The bridge can be modelled by the equation
y = ax 2 + bx + c , where y is the vertical distance (in metres) from the surface of the water and x
is the horizontal distance (in metres) from the point O.

If the distance between points O and P is 200 metres, and the highest point on the bridge
is 40 m above the surface of the water, find the values of a,b and c.

[3 marks]

b. In the figure given below y = 1 – a(x-3)2 intersects the x-axis at A and B. Point C is the
vertex of the curve and a is a positive constant. Find the coordinates of A and B in
terms of a .

[3 marks]
QUESTION 2 [2 + 1 + 2 + 3 = 8 marks]

The plans for the entrance to a new building involve two parabolic arches.

(a) From the diagram give the equation of the curve for Arch 1

(2 marks)

(b) State the domain and range of the graph of the first arch.

(1 mark)

(c)A second arch which is the translation of Arch 1 by 60 m in the positive x direction is to be built.
On the axes below sketch the graph of the two arches, clearly stating coordinates of intercepts with
the axis and turning points
(2 marks)
(c) Give the equation of the second arch and state its domain and range.

(3 marks)

QUESTION 3 [3+ 2 + 3 = 8 marks]

The distance of a group of hikers, d km, from their starting point t hours after setting off on
a hike can be modelled by d(t) = at2(b-t) .The hikers are 3 km from the start after 2 hours
and return to the starting point after 5 hours.

a) Find the values of a and b.

b) Rewrite the rule for d(t) stating its domain and range.

c) Sketch the graph of d(t)

QUESTION 4 [3 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 8 marks]

Tin boxes with a square base are to be made to contain of 2 litres (2000 cubic centimetres)
of olive oil. To keep the cost of metal to a minimum, the surface area of the boxes must be
as small as possible.

Suppose the height and the side of the base in cm are h and x respectively.

a Show that the total surface area, A, is given by

"###
𝐴 = 2𝑥 ! + $
.
h

x
x

b With the aid of your calculator/Geogebra , sketch the graph of A versus x.

c Find the exact value of x for which the total area is a minimum.
d What is the minimum area of metal required to make each box? Give your answer

correct to the nearest cm2.

e Draw a sketch of the box of smallest surface area showing the dimensions in cm

correct to two decimal places.

QUESTION 5 [2+1+2+2+2 = 9 marks]

The “peanut spider”, a rare South American spider, weaves a peanut shaped web to catch its prey.

An araneologist (person who studies spiders) observes the web making progress.

Initially the spider weaves a strand that has a shape that can be described by the function

f ( x) =
1
35
( )
x(x - 7 ) x 2 - 8 x + 25 for xÎ[0, 8]

(a) Show that x 2 - 8 x + 25 > 0 for x Î R .

 (2 marks)

(b) Find the x-intercepts of the graph of y =

1
35
( )
x(x - 7 ) x 2 - 8 x + 25 .

(1 mark)
The shape below describes the bottom boundary line of the web. It is the graph of f(x)
translated k units in the positive y-direction.

(c) Find the value of k, and hence state the equation of the bottom boundary of the
web, yB, as shown in the graph.

(2 marks)

The spider begins to weave the top boundary of the web. The top and bottom boundaries of
the web are symmetrical. The top boundary is the reflection of the bottom boundary in the

line y = 18. Its equation is given by yT = 20 -

1
35
( )
x(x - 7 ) x 2 - 8 x + 25 for x Î [0, 8].

(d) Sketch the graph of the top boundary line on the set of axes above.

(2 marks)
 (e) State the transformations (in the correct order) involved in producing yT from y.

(2 marks)

QUESTION 6 [2+2+2 = 6 marks]

An open box (a box without a lid) with a base length twice its width is to be made from 120m2 of
metal.

20 x
a) Show that the height is given by the expression h = -
x 3

b) Express the volume, V, in terms of x only. (Give your answer in simplest form)
c) Find the maximum volume and give the dimensions of the box for which this maximum
occurs.

END OF ASSIGNMENT

a. Find the maximum surface area.

END OF ASSIGNMENT