Week 2

Solving Problems
Involving Polynomial
Functions
 Objectives
1. Solve problems involving polynomial functions.
2. Apply the concept of polynomial functions in
real-life situation.
Apply the concepts of polynomial functions to answer the questions in this
problem. Use a calculator when needed.
1. Look at the pictures below. What do these tell us?
 Year 1900 1920 1960 1970 1987 1998
Forest Cover (%) 70 60 40 34 23.7 22.2
 Year 1900 1920 1960 1970 1987 1998
Forest Cover (%) 70 60 40 34 23.7 22.2
Questions/Tasks:

a) Using the graph, what is the approximate forest cover during

the year 1940?
b) Compare the forest cover in 1987 (as given in the table) to
the forest cover given by the polynomial function. Why are
these values not exactly the same?
c) Do you think you can use the polynomial to predict the
forest cover in the year 2100? Why or why not?
 Let’s Do It
The members of a group of packaging designers of a gift shop are
looking for a precise procedure to make an open rectangular box with a
volume of 560 cubic inches from a 24-inch by 18-inch rectangular piece of
material. The main problem is how to identify the side of identical squares
to be cut from the four corners of the rectangular sheet so that such box can
be made.
Question/Task:
Suppose you are chosen as the leader and you are tasked to lead in
solving the problem. What will you do to meet the specifications needed for
the box? Show a mathematical solution.
Length:
24 – 2x
18
Width:
x x
18 – 2x
Height:
x
24

x x
Let’s Do It