MODULE 5 – A MODULE ON SETTING UP FUNCTIONS

Introduction:
Functions result from mathematical models of some practical situations. We construct
functions by translating verbal phrases and statements to mathematical symbols. We do this by
representing the independent and dependent variables with symbols. Finally, we then find the
function or rule that relates these variables to one another.

Objectives:

At the end of the module, you would be able to:

1. analyze word problems

2. translate mathematical phrase to mathematical symbols

3. find the function that relates variables in a given situation

Instructions to the Users

Welcome to this module on setting up functions, one of the first lesson intended for
students

of Differential Calculus like you.😊. You will be asked to first answer the pre-test without using
any
reference. Right after the pre-test, you will find the answers to the items you solved on the next.
YOU NEED NOT STUDY THE ANSWERS PRESENTED HERE! This is done so you can
compare your answers and compute for your scores.
The lesson proper follows the pre-test; these are stand-alone lessons coupled with easy
to follow instructions. Enough examples will be provided to help you navigate your way to learn
setting up functions. An activity after the lesson proper will provide you with additional
exercise to practice your skill. Afterwards you will be asked to answer the post-test where your
score will determine if you can proceed to the next module. At the end is a self- assessment
questionnaire which you need to answer objectively.
At this point you will need a clean notebook where you can write your solutions for
comparison with the given answers later on. You will also need a timer so you can set your time
allotment for the pre-test. Observe the number of minutes you are allowed to spend in
answering.
You need to check your answer against the answer key and compare it to the range of
scores found in the table on the same page just so you would know your baseline knowledge on
setting up functions.
You should not feel anxious about the pre-test but should be excited about it!

LET’S START!!! 😊

Pretest: Get a timer and set it to 40 minutes. Answer the following without consulting any
reference i.e. books, internet, etc. Answers are on the next page but refrain from looking at them
unless you are done with the test
1. Express the area A of a circle in terms of its circumference x
2. Express the length of the radius r of a circle as a function of its circumference x.
3. Express the length of the diameter d of a circle as a function of the circumference x.
4. The perimeter of a rectangle is 50 cm. Express its area as a function of the length x.
5. A piece of wire y cm long is bent into a circle. Express the area of the circle as a function of y,
the circumference.
.

Answer to Pre-test:

Assign 1 point to every item written in red. Add all your points range and compare it

to the range in the table below:

Remarkable! You are very knowledgeable about setting up functions and you
5 may brouse the pages of this module just for fun!
Good! You know quite well about setting up functions. You might want to flip the
4 pages for fun and a bit of review.
Oh well! relax! You may find this module very useful as you decide to study
3 setting up functions at your own pace.
Do not fret! ! ! This module is really intended for you. Read every page and
≤2 follow the instructions along the way. At the end is a post-test to measure your
progress. Chill!
 2
x
1. Express the area A of a circle in terms of its circumference x. → A(x) =
4π
x
2. Express the length of the radius r of a circle as a function of its circumference x. → r(x) =
2π
3. Express the length of the diameter d of a circle as a function of the circumference x. →
x
d(x) =
π
4. The perimeter of a rectangle is 50 cm. Express its area as a function of the length x. →
A(x) = 25x – x2
5. A piece of wire y cm long is bent into a circle. Express the area of the circle as a function of y,
2
y
the circumference. → A(y) =
4π

Now, it is time to compute your scores and compare it with the range of scores in the
table. If you got a perfect score of 10, you can just flip the pages of the module for fun!
Otherwise, you need to get your notebook and find a conducive place for you to study
as you proceed to the lesson proper.
Have fun!

Lesson Proper:
In setting up functions, problems expressed as a verbal description are translated into a
language of mathematics. To do this, the symbols of mathematics are used to represent the
independent and the dependent variables and then the function or rule to represent these
variables is stated.
Usually, working with mathematical problems involve solutions or answers in terms of
numbers. This time, the answers are functions, or more precisely equations defining functions.
Steps for setting up functions:
Step 1. Read the problem carefully and draw the picture that conveys the given information.
Step 2. State in your own words what the problem is asking for. Assign a variable to denote
that quantity or formula required by the problem.
Step 3. Label other quantities in your figure that appear relevant. Look for equations relating
these quantities.
Step 4. Find the equations involving the key variable identified in step 2. Substitute in this
equation, using the auxiliary equations in step 3, to obtain an equation involving only the
required variables.
Illustrative Sample:
1. Express the length of the radius r of a circle as a function of its area x.
Representation: r = radius
A = area
Given: A=x
Required: r(x) = ?
Solution:

A = π r2

x = π r2

x
r2 =
π

r=
√ x
π

r(x) =
√ x
π
2. The perimeter of a rectangle is 100 cm. Express the area A of the rectangle in terms of its
width x.
Representation: P = perimeter
L = length
W = width
A = area
Given: P = 100 cm
W=x
Required: A(x) = ?

Figure:
 L

Solution:
P = 2L + 2W
P = 2L + 2x
100 = 2L + 2x
50 = L + x
L = 50 – x → equation 1
A = LW
A = Lx → equation 2
Substitute equation 1 in equation 2
A = (50 – x)x
A = 50x – x2
A(x) = 50x – x2

3. A piece of wire x cm long is bent into the shape of a circle. Express the area A of the circle in
terms of x, the circumference.
Representation: C = circumference
r = radius
A = area
Given: C=x
Required: A(x) = ?
Figure;

° x x

Solution:
C = 2π r
x = 2π r
x
r= → equation 1
2π
A = π r2 → equation 2

Substitute eq. 1 in eq. 2

X 2
A = π( )
2π
2
πX
A=
4 π2
X2
A=
4π
X2
A(x) =
4π

We will have more of this concept in the next lesson 😊. In the meantime, as an exercise,
perform activity # 1 below. ENJOY!!! 😊

Activity 1:

1. A rectangle is inscribed in a circle of radius 5 cm. Find the area of the rectangle as a function
of the width x.
2. The area of a rectangle is 85 cm2. Express the perimeter of the rectangle as a function of the
width x.
3. A wire of length x is bent into the shape of a square. Express the area of the square as a
function of x.
4. The area of a right triangle is 5 cm 2. Express the perimeter of the triangle as a function of the
base x.
5. An open box is to be made from a rectangular piece of tin 30 cm long and 25 cm wide by
cutting pieces of x cm square from each corner and bending up the sides. Find a formula that
expresses the volume V of the box as a function of x.

You are now ready to answer the post-test below. 😊

Post-test:
Get a timer and set it to 20 minutes. Answer the following without consulting any reference
i.e. books, internet, etc. Answers are presented below but refrain from looking at them unless
you are done with the test.

1. Express the area A of a circle in terms of its circumference x

2. Express the length of the radius r of a circle as a function of its circumference x.
3. Express the length of the diameter d of a circle as a function of the circumference x.
4. The perimeter of a rectangle is 50 cm. Express its area as a function of the length x.
5. A piece of wire y cm long is bent into a circle. Express the area of the circle as a function of y,
the circumference.

Answer to Post test:

Compare your answer to the ones below and allot 1 point for every correct answer.

1. Express the area A of a circle in terms of its circumference x.

Representation: A = area
C = circumference
r = radius
Given: C=x
Required: A(x) = ?
Solution:
x = 2π r
x
r=
2π
A = π r2
A = π ¿)2

π X2
A=
4 π2
2
x
A(x) =
4π
2. Express the length of the radius r of a circle as a function of its circumference x.
Representation: r = radius
C = circumference
Given: C=x
Required: r(x) = ?
Solution:
C = 2 πr
x = 2 πr
x
r=
2π
x
r(x) =
2π

3. Express the length of the diameter d of a circle as a function of the circumference x.

Representation: d = diameter
C = circumference
Given: C=x
Required: d(x) = ?
Solution:
C = πd
x = πd
x
d=
π
x
d(x) =
π

4. The perimeter of a rectangle is 50 cm. Express its area as a function of the length x.
Representation: P = perimeter
A = area
L = length
W = width
Given: P = 50 cm
 L=x
Required: A(x) = ?
Solution:
P = 2L + 2W
P = 2x + 2W
50 = 2x + 2w
25 = x + W

W = 25 – x → eq. 1

A = LW

A = xW → eq. 2

Subst. eq. 1 in eq. 2

A = x(25 – x)

A = 25x – x2

A(x) = 25x – x2

5. A piece of wire y cm long is bent into a circle. Express the area of the circle as a function of y,
the circumference.
Representation: A = area

C = circumference

Given: C=y

Required: A(y) = ?

Solution:

C = 2π r

y = 2π r

y
r= → eq. 1
2π
A = π r2 →eq. 2

Subst. eq. 2 in eq. 1

y 2
A=π( )
2π
2
πy
A= 2
4π

y2
A(y) =
4π

Remark:
A score range of 8 -10 in the post-test will allow you to proceed to the next module: Limits of a
function

YOU MADE IT!!!

Congratulations!!!

Self- assessment :
1. Do the learning objectives clearly state the content of the lesson?
2. Are the language used clear, descriptive, free of spelling and grammatical error?
3. Does the content logically progress throughout the module?
4. Are the instructions clear allowing you to self-navigate through the module?
5. Are examples and exercises enough for you to understand the content to be learned?
6. Did the presentation of the module engaged you to a self-directed activity
7. You may write here any suggestion/comment/question about the module.

References:
Leithold, L. The Calculus. 7th Edition. Addison and Wesley

Areola, M. A., Solutions to Problems in Mathematics and Mechanics. Voll.1.

Mendelson and Ayres Jr., Differential and Integral Calculus. 3rd Edition.
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/differential-calculus

Ayres, F. and Mendelson, E. (2012). Schaum’s Outline Series: Theory

Differential

and Integral Calculus. 6th Edition. McGraw-hill Education.