Fundamental Mathematical Modeling MA1028

A designer looks for a function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) that allows him to join the upper part of a slide with its lower part, in
accordance with the following graph.

Problem 1. Determine the equation of the line that joins the upper part of the slide
with the lower one.

Solution:

The mathematical model or function that describes the line is 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏. If the values of 𝑎 and 𝑏 are determined,
then the equation that joins the two parts is obtained. To do it we just substitute the values of 𝑥 and 𝑦 by the
corresponding values of the points (2, 3.5) and (6, 0.5) in 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏. Thus, a two-equation system is created, and
its solution provide us with the values of 𝑎 and 𝑏.

At the upper part of the slide 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑦 = 3.5. Thus, the equation is:
3.5 = 2𝑎 + 𝑏

At the lower part of the slide 𝑥 = 6 and 𝑦 = 0.5. Now, the equation is:
0.5 = 6𝑎 + 𝑏

The solution of this system yields 𝒂 = − 𝟑⁄𝟒 and 𝒃 = 𝟓.

𝟑
Therefore, the solution is the equation 𝒚 = − 𝟒 𝒙 + 𝟓, whose graph is shown below.
 Fundamental Mathematical Modeling MA1028

However, it can be inferred that changing from the tilted plane to the horizontal one might be too violent for
children. Therefore, it is recommended to soften the design at the joining point of the lines. In other words, a
differentiable curve to join the upper part with the lower part must be found.

Therefore, to solve this problem, it is required that the rates of change (the derivatives) of the functions at the
joining points are the same.

Problem 2. Determine a function to join the upper part of the slide with the lower one
that ends in a soft curve.
Solution:

We are asked to determine a function 𝑓(𝑥) that passes through the same points as before, but this time it must be
differentiable at (6,0.5).

We have three conditions, so let the mathematical model be a second-degree polynomial 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐,
whose derivative is 𝑓′(𝑥) = 2𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏. Then, to determine the values of a, b and c, we proceed as before but using
the new equations:

At the top of the slide we have that 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑦 = 3.5. Substituting in 𝑓(𝑥) we obtain the following:
3.5 = 𝑎(2)2 + 𝑏(2) + 𝑐

At the bottom of the slide the values are 𝑥 = 6 and 𝑦 = 0.5, and the equation becomes:
0.5 = 𝑎(6)2 + 𝑏(6) + 𝑐

To soften the curve at (6, 0.5) the rate of change (slope or derivative) of 𝑓(𝑥) must the same as the horizontal
line at the end of the slide. This slope is zero, so 𝑓′(6) = 0. Therefore, the last equation is:

0 = 2𝑎(6) + 𝑏
 Fundamental Mathematical Modeling MA1028

Hence, as before, we get a system of equations, although this time it contains three equations:

4𝑎 + 2𝑏 + 𝑐 = 3.5
36𝑎 + 6𝑏 + 𝑐 = 0.5
12𝑎 + 𝑏 = 0
The solution of the system gives the following: 𝑎 = 0.1875, 𝑏 = −2.25, y 𝑐 = 7.25. Consequently, the desired
function is 𝑓(𝑥) = 0.1875𝑥 2 − 2.25𝑥 + 7.25, and the graph is the following:

Exercises

1. Determine a soft function 𝑓(𝑥) to join the curves 𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 − 10, and ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 5.
 Fundamental Mathematical Modeling MA1028

2. Determine a soft function to join the curves 𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 5 and ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 + 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 1,

whose intervals are 𝑥 ≥ 2 and −3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1, respectively.

3. Determine a soft function to join the curves 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥 3 + 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 + 2 and ℎ(𝑥) = 6 , whose
intervals are −1.5 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1 and 5 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 7, respectively.