Functions worksheet [200 

marks]
1a. [1 mark]
Professor Vinculum investigated the migration season of the Bulbul bird from their
natural wetlands to a warmer climate.
He found that during the migration season their population, P could be modelled by
−t
P=1350+ 400 ( 1.25 ) , t ≥ 0 , where t is the number of days since the start of the migration
season.
Find the population of the Bulbul birds at the start of the migration season.
1b. [2 marks]
Find the population of the Bulbul birds after 5 days.
1c. [2 marks]
Calculate the time taken for the population to decrease below 1400.
1d. [1 mark]
According to this model, find the smallest possible population of Bulbul birds during
the migration season.
2a. [2 marks]
The intensity level of sound, L measured in decibels (dB), is a function of the
sound intensity, S watts per square metre (W m−2). The intensity level is given by the
following formula.

L=10 lo g 10 ( S ×1012 ),  S ≥ 0.

An orchestra has a sound intensity of 6.4 × 10−3 W m−2 . Calculate the intensity level, L of the
orchestra.
2b. [2 marks]
A rock concert has an intensity level of 112 dB. Find the sound intensity, S.
3a. [2 marks]
The braking distance of a vehicle is defined as the distance travelled from where the
brakes are applied to the point where the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
The speed, s m s−1, and braking distance, d m, of a truck were recorded. This information
is summarized in the following table.

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This information was used to create Model A, where d is a function of s, s ≥ 0.
Model A: d ( s )= p s 2 +qs , where p, q ∈ Z

At a speed of 6 m s−1, Model A can be represented by the equation 6 p+q=2.

Write down a second equation to represent Model A, when the speed is 10 m s−1.
3b. [2 marks]
Find the values of p and q .
3c. [2 marks]
Find the coordinates of the vertex of the graph of y=d ( s ) .
3d. [3 marks]
Using the values in the table and your answer to part (b), sketch the graph of y=d ( s )  for 0 ≤
s ≤ 10 and −10 ≤ d ≤ 60, clearly showing the vertex.
3e. [1 mark]
Hence, identify why Model A may not be appropriate at lower speeds.
3f. [2 marks]
Additional data was used to create Model B, a revised model for the braking distance of a
truck.
Model B: d ( s )=0.95 s2−3.92 s

Use Model B to calculate an estimate for the braking distance at a speed of 20 m s−1.
3g. [2 marks]
The actual braking distance at 20 m s−1 is 320 m.
Calculate the percentage error in the estimate in part (e).
3h. [3 marks]
It is found that once a driver realizes the need to stop their vehicle, 1.6 seconds will
elapse, on average, before the brakes are engaged. During this reaction time, the vehicle
will continue to travel at its original speed.

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A truck approaches an intersection with speed s m s−1. The driver notices the
intersection’s traffic lights are red and they must stop the vehicle within a distance of 330 m.

Using model B and taking reaction time into account, calculate the maximum
possible speed of the truck if it is to stop before the intersection.
4. [3 marks]
The rate of change of the height ( h ) of a ball above horizontal ground, measured in metres, t
seconds after it has been thrown and until it hits the ground, can be modelled by
the equation
dh
=11.4−9.8 t
dt
The height of the ball when t=0  is 1.2 m.
Find the range of h .
6a. [1 mark]
Urvashi wants to model the height of a moving object. She collects the following data
showing the height, h   metres, of the object at time t seconds.

She believes the height can be modeled by a quadratic function, h ( t )=a t 2+ bt+ c,
where a , b , c ∈ R .
Show that 4 a+2 b+ c=34 .
6b. [3 marks]
Write down two more equations for a , b and c .
6c. [4 marks]
Solve this system of three equations to find the value of a , b and c .
6d. [3 marks]

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Hence find
when the height of the object is zero.
6e. [2 marks]
the maximum height of the object.
7a. [3 marks]
Let the function h ( x ) represent the height in centimetres of a cylindrical tin can
with diameter x cm.
640
h ( x )= 2
+ 0.5 for 4 ≤ x ≤14 .
x
Find the range of h .
7b. [2 marks]
The function h−1 is the inverse function of h .

Find h−1 ( 10 ) .
7c. [1 mark]
In the context of the question, interpret your answer to part (b)(i).
7d. [1 mark]
Write down the range of h−1.
8a. [2 marks]
If a shark is spotted near to Brighton beach, a lifeguard will activate a siren to warn
swimmers.

The sound intensity, I , of the siren varies inversely with the square of the distance, d ,
from the siren, where d >0 .

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It is known that at a distance of 1.5 metres from the siren, the sound intensity is 4 watts
per square metre (W m−2).
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Show that  I = .
d2
8b. [2 marks]
Sketch the curve of I on the axes below showing clearly the point ( 1.5 , 4 ).

8c. [2 marks]
Whilst swimming, Scarlett can hear the siren only if the sound intensity at her location
is greater than 1.5 ×10−6 W m−2.
Find the values of d where Scarlett cannot hear the siren.
9a. [2 marks]
The price of gas at Leon’s gas station is $ 1.50  per litre. If a customer buys a minimum of 10
litres, a discount of $ 5 is applied.
This can be modelled by the following function, L, which gives the total cost when buying a
minimum of 10 litres at Leon’s gas station.
L ( x ) =1.50 x−5 , x ≥10

where x is the number of litres of gas that a customer buys.

Find the total cost of buying 40 litres of gas at Leon’s gas station.
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9b. [2 marks]
Find L−1 ( 70 ).
9c. [3 marks]
The price of gas at Erica’s gas station is $ 1.30 per litre. A customer must buy a minimum of
10 litres of gas. The total cost at Erica’s gas station is cheaper than Leon’s gas station when
x >k .
Find the minimum value of k .
10a. [2 marks]
Professor Wei observed that students have difficulty remembering the information
presented in his lectures.
He modelled the percentage of information retained, R , by the function R ( t )=100 e− pt, t ≥ 0
, where t is the number of days after the lecture.
He found that 1 day after a lecture, students had forgotten 50 % of the information
presented.
Find the value of p.
10b. [2 marks]
Use this model to find the percentage of information retained by his students 36 hours after
Professor Wei’s lecture.
10c. [1 mark]
Based on his model, Professor Wei believes that his students will always retain
some information from his lecture.
State a mathematical reason why Professor Wei might believe this.
10d. [1 mark]
Write down one possible limitation of the domain of the model.
11a. [1 mark]
The amount, in milligrams, of a medicinal drug in the body t hours after it was injected
is given by D ( t ) =23 ( 0.85 )t , t ≥ 0. Before this injection, the amount of the drug in the
body was zero.
Write down
the initial dose of the drug.
11b. [2 marks]

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the percentage of the drug that leaves the body each hour.
11c. [2 marks]
Calculate the amount of the drug remaining in the body 10 hours after the injection.
12a. [1 mark]
Consider the function  f ( x )=a x 2 +bx +c . The graph of y=f ( x ) is shown in the diagram. The
vertex of the graph has coordinates ( 0.5 ,−12.5 ). The graph intersects the x -axis at two
points, (−2 , 0 ) and ( p , 0 ).

Find the value of p.

12b. [5 marks]
Find the value of
(i)     a .
(ii)    b .
(iii)   c .
12c. [1 mark]
Write down the equation of the axis of symmetry of the graph.
13a. [3 marks]
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 12
A function is defined by  f ( x )=2−  for −7 ≤ x ≤ 7 , x ≠−5 .
x +5
Find the range of f .
13b. [2 marks]
Find the value of  f −1 ( 0 ).
14a. [2 marks]
The diagram shows the graph of the quadratic function f ( x )=a x 2 +bx +c , with vertex
(−2 , 10 ).

The equation f ( x )=k has two solutions. One of these solutions is x=2.
Write down the other solution of f ( x )=k .
14b. [2 marks]
Complete the table below placing a tick (✔) to show whether the unknown parameters  a
and b are positive, zero or negative. The row for c has been completed as an example.

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14c. [2 marks]
State the values of x for which f ( x ) is decreasing.
15a. [2 marks]
Jean-Pierre jumps out of an airplane that is flying at constant altitude. Before opening
his parachute, he goes through a period of freefall.
Jean-Pierre’s vertical speed during the time of freefall, S, in m s−1, is modelled by the
following function.

S ( t ) =K−60 ( 1.2 ) , t ≥ 0
−t

where t , is the number of seconds after he jumps out of the airplane, and K is a constant. A
sketch of Jean-Pierre’s vertical speed against time is shown below.

Jean-Pierre’s initial vertical speed is 0 m s−1.

Find the value of K .
15b. [1 mark]
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In the context of the model, state what the horizontal asymptote represents.
15c. [3 marks]
Find Jean-Pierre’s vertical speed after 10 seconds. Give your answer in km h−1 .
16a. [2 marks]
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Consider the graph of the function  f ( x )=x + 2
, x ≠ 0.
x

Write down the zero of  f ( x ).

16b. [2 marks]
Write down the coordinates of the local minimum point.
16c. [2 marks]
Consider the function  g ( x )=3−x .
Solve  f ( x )=g ( x ).

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17a. [2 marks]
2 50
Consider the function  f ( x )=x + x + , x ≠ 0.
x
Find  f ( 1 ) .
17b. [2 marks]
Solve f ( x )=0.
17c. [2 marks]
The graph of f has a local minimum at point A .
Find the coordinates of A .
18a. [2 marks]
Let  f ( x )=4−x 3 and  g ( x )=ln x , for  x >0.

Find ( f ∘ g )( x ) .
18b. [2 marks]
Solve the equation ( f ∘ g )( x )=x .
18c. [3 marks]
Hence or otherwise, given that  g ( 2 a )=f −1 ( 2 a ), find the value of a .
19a. [1 mark]
Elvis Presley is an extremely popular singer. Although he passed away in 1977 , many of
his fans continue to pay tribute by dressing like Elvis and singing his songs.
The number of Elvis impersonators, N ( t ) , can be modelled by the function
t
N ( t ) =170× 1.31 ,
where t , is the number of years since 1977 .
Write down the number of Elvis impersonators in 1977 .
19b. [2 marks]
Calculate the time taken for the number of Elvis impersonators to reach 130 000.
19c. [2 marks]
Calculate the number of Elvis impersonators when t=70.
19d. [1 mark]

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The world population in 2047 is projected to be 9 500 000 000 people.
Use this information to explain why the model for the number of Elvis impersonators is
unrealistic.
20a. [2 marks]
1
The graph of the quadratic function  f ( x )= ( x−2 ) ( x+ 8 )  intersects the y -axis at ( 0 , c ).
2
Find the value of c .
20b. [2 marks]
The vertex of the function is (−3 ,−12.5 ).
Write down the equation for the axis of symmetry of the graph.
20c. [1 mark]
The equation f ( x )=12 has two solutions. The first solution is x=−10 .
Use the symmetry of the graph to show that the second solution is x=4.
20d. [2 marks]
Write down the x -intercepts of the graph.
20e. [4 marks]
On graph paper, draw the graph of y=f ( x ) for  −10 ≤ x ≤ 4   and  −14 ≤ y ≤14 . Use a scale of
1 cm to represent 1 unit on the x -axis and 1 cm to represent 2 units on the y -axis.
20f. [2 marks]
Let T be the tangent at x=−3 .
Write down the equation of T .
20g. [1 mark]
Draw the tangent T on your graph.
20h. [2 marks]
Given f ( a )=5.5 and f ' ( a )=−6 , state whether the function, f , is increasing or decreasing at
x=a . Give a reason for your answer.
21a. [2 marks]
Little Green island originally had no turtles. After 55 turtles were introduced to the island,
their population is modelled by
−t
N ( t ) =a ×2 +10 , t ≥ 0 ,

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where a is a constant and t is the time in years since the turtles were introduced.
 
Find the value of a .
21b. [2 marks]
Find the time, in years, for the population to decrease to 20 turtles.
21c. [2 marks]
There is a number m beyond which the turtle population will not decrease.
Find the value of m. Justify your answer.
22a. [2 marks]
Let  f ( x )=x 2−4 x−5 . The following diagram shows part of the graph of f .

Find the equation of the axis of symmetry of the graph of f .

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22b. [1 mark]

The function can be written in the form f ( x )=( x−h )2+ k .

Write down the value of h .

22c. [3 marks]
Find the value of k .
22d. [5 marks]
The graph of a second function, g, is obtained by a reflection of the graph of f in the y -axis,
followed by a translation of
−3
6( )
.

 
Find the coordinates of the vertex of the graph of g.
23. [1 mark]
The amount of yeast, g grams, in a sugar solution can be modelled by the function,
g(t) = 10 − k(c−t) for t ≥ 0
where t is the time in minutes.
The graph of g(t) is shown.

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The initial amount of yeast in this solution is 2 grams.
The amount of yeast in this solution after 3 minutes is 9 grams.
Write down the maximum amount of yeast in this solution.
24. [4 marks]
Consider a function f (x) , for −2 ≤ x ≤ 2 . The following diagram shows the graph of f.

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On the grid above, sketch the graph of f −1.
25a. [2 marks]
Let f(x) = ax2 − 4x − c. A horizontal line, L , intersects the graph of f at x = −1 and x = 3.
The equation of the axis of symmetry is x = p. Find p.
25b. [2 marks]
Hence, show that a = 2.
26a. [1 mark]
Consider the quadratic function f ( x )=a x 2 +bx +22.

The equation of the line of symmetry of the graph y=f ( x ) is x=1.75.

Using only this information, write down an equation in terms of a and b.
26b. [1 mark]
The graph intersects the x-axis at the point (−2 , 0).
Using this information, write down a second equation in terms of a and b.
26c. [2 marks]

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Hence find the value of a and of b.
26d. [2 marks]
The graph intersects the x-axis at a second point, P.
Find the x-coordinate of P.
27a. [2 marks]
In an experiment, a number of fruit flies are placed in a container. The population of fruit
flies, P , increases and can be modelled by the function

P ( t ) =12× 30.498 t ,t ≥0 ,
where t is the number of days since the fruit flies were placed in the container.
Find the number of fruit flies which were placed in the container.
27b. [2 marks]
Find the number of fruit flies that are in the container after 6 days.
27c. [2 marks]
The maximum capacity of the container is 8000 fruit flies.
Find the number of days until the container reaches its maximum capacity.
28a. [2 marks]
3
Consider the graph of the function f ( x )= −2 , x ≠0 .
x
Write down the equation of the vertical asymptote.
28b. [2 marks]
Write down the equation of the horizontal asymptote.
28c. [2 marks]
Calculate the value of x for which f(x) = 0 .
29a. [2 marks]
A factory produces shirts. The cost, C, in Fijian dollars (FJD), of producing x shirts can be
modelled by
C(x) = (x − 75)2 + 100.
Find the cost of producing 70 shirts.
29b. [2 marks]

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The cost of production should not exceed 500 FJD. To do this the factory needs to produce
at least 55 shirts and at most s shirts.
Find the value of s.
29c. [2 marks]
Find the number of shirts produced when the cost of production is lowest.

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