The previous lesson tells us how to solve problems involving

polynomial functions through evaluation. That is, solving for the value of the
dependent variable (example of this is P(x), V(x) given the value of the
independent variable. Now, we will solve the problems using factoring, but the
difference is the problems below are more on solving for the value of the
independent variable given the value of the dependent variable. Here, we are
going discuss and solve problems together step by step using the lessons you
have discussed in the previous days. The problems presented below are
things that we could relate to real-life situations

Example 1:
Suppose a windmill generates power based on the speed of the wind.
This is represented by the polynomial function
, where s represents the speed of the wind in kilometers
per hour. If the windmill generated 50 units of power, what is the speed of the
wind?

Procedure:

Step 1 , First let us rewrite the given.

P(s) = 50 units
Then we identify what is asked on
Step 2 Find s when P(s) = 50.
the problem.
2 We replace P(s) with 50 since it is
Step 3 50=s −5 s
given than P(s) = 50.
2 We add – 50 to both sides so that
Step 4 0=s − 5 s − 50
the other side is equal to zero.
We now then solve the equation
using factoring. You could use
Step 5 0 = (s – 10) (s + 5)
also quadratic equation on solving
for the value of s.
We equate each factor by zero by
s – 10 = 0
Step 6 zero – product property and to
s+5=0
solve for the value of s.
By solving each linear equation,
we got s = 10 and s = - 5, but we
Step 7 s = 10, s = - 5 17are going to reject – 5 since there
is no negative speed of the wind.
Thus, we got s = 10.

Answer: The speed of the wind should be 10 kilometers per hour to

generate 50 units of power.
Example 2:

A sculptor uses ice blocks to carve the wings of a dragon. The volume, V
(in cubic centimeters), of a block of ice can be modeled by the V(t) = t 3 + 8t2 –
83t, where t represents the thickness of the block of ice in centimeters. How
thick is the block of ice with a volume of 630 cm3?

Procedure:

V(t) = t3 + 8t2 – 83t,

Step 1 First let us rewrite the given.
V(t) = 630 cm3
Then we identify what is
Step 2 Find t when V(t) = 630.
asked on the problem.
We replace V(t) with 630
Step 3 630 = t3 + 8t2 – 83t since it is given that V(t) =
630.
We add – 630 to both sides so
Step 4 0 = t3 + 8t2 – 83t - 630 that the other side is equal to
zero.
We now then solve the
equation using factoring. You
Step 5 0 = (t + 7) (t + 10) (t – 9) could also use synthetic
division on solving for the
value of t.
We equate each factor by
t+7=0
zero by zero – product
Step 6 t + 10 = 0
property and to solve for the
t–9=0
value of t.
By solving each linear
equation, we got t = -7, t = -10
and t = 9, but we are going to
Step 7 t = - 7, t = - 10, t = 9 reject – 7 and – 10 since there
is no negative measurement
for thickness. Thus, we got t =
9.

Answer: The block of ice should be 9 centimeters thick to have a

volume of 630 cubic centimeters.

Great job! Now you are ready for more similar problems. Let us polish more
your skills in solving problems involving polynomial functions through factoring.