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Access this online resource for additional instruction and practice with linear function models.

Key concepts

  • We can use the same problem strategies that we would use for any type of function.
  • When modeling and solving a problem, identify the variables and look for key values, including the slope and y -intercept. See [link] .
  • Draw a diagram, where appropriate. See [link] and [link] .
  • Check for reasonableness of the answer.
  • Linear models may be built by identifying or calculating the slope and using the y -intercept.
    • The x -intercept may be found by setting y = 0 , which is setting the expression m x + b equal to 0.
    • The point of intersection of a system of linear equations is the point where the x - and y -values are the same. See [link] .
    • A graph of the system may be used to identify the points where one line falls below (or above) the other line.

Section exercises

Verbal

Explain how to find the input variable in a word problem that uses a linear function.

Determine the independent variable. This is the variable upon which the output depends.

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Explain how to find the output variable in a word problem that uses a linear function.

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Explain how to interpret the initial value in a word problem that uses a linear function.

To determine the initial value, find the output when the input is equal to zero.

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Explain how to determine the slope in a word problem that uses a linear function.

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Algebraic

Find the area of a parallelogram bounded by the y -axis, the line x = 3 , the line f ( x ) = 1 + 2 x , and the line parallel to f ( x ) passing through ( 2 , 7 ) .

6 square units

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Find the area of a triangle bounded by the x -axis, the line f ( x ) = 12 1 3 x , and the line perpendicular to f ( x ) that passes through the origin.

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Find the area of a triangle bounded by the y -axis, the line f ( x ) = 9 6 7 x , and the line perpendicular to f ( x ) that passes through the origin.

20.01 square units

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Find the area of a parallelogram bounded by the x -axis, the line g ( x ) = 2 , the line f ( x ) = 3 x , and the line parallel to f ( x ) passing through ( 6 , 1 ) .

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For the following exercises, consider this scenario: A town’s population has been decreasing at a constant rate. In 2010 the population was 5,900. By 2012 the population had dropped 4,700. Assume this trend continues.

Predict the population in 2016.

2,300

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Identify the year in which the population will reach 0.

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For the following exercises, consider this scenario: A town’s population has been increased at a constant rate. In 2010 the population was 46,020. By 2012 the population had increased to 52,070. Assume this trend continues.

Predict the population in 2016.

64,170

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Identify the year in which the population will reach 75,000.

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For the following exercises, consider this scenario: A town has an initial population of 75,000. It grows at a constant rate of 2,500 per year for 5 years.

Find the linear function that models the town’s population P as a function of the year, t , where t is the number of years since the model began.

P ( t ) = 75 , 000 + 2500 t

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Find a reasonable domain and range for the function P .

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If the function P is graphed, find and interpret the x - and y -intercepts.

(–30, 0) Thirty years before the start of this model, the town had no citizens. (0, 75,000) Initially, the town had a population of 75,000.

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Questions & Answers

Ayele, K., 2003. Introductory Economics, 3rd ed., Addis Ababa.
Widad Reply
can you send the book attached ?
Ariel
?
Ariel
What is economics
Widad Reply
the study of how humans make choices under conditions of scarcity
AI-Robot
U(x,y) = (x×y)1/2 find mu of x for y
Desalegn Reply
U(x,y) = (x×y)1/2 find mu of x for y
Desalegn
what is ecnomics
Jan Reply
this is the study of how the society manages it's scarce resources
Belonwu
what is macroeconomic
John Reply
macroeconomic is the branch of economics which studies actions, scale, activities and behaviour of the aggregate economy as a whole.
husaini
etc
husaini
difference between firm and industry
husaini Reply
what's the difference between a firm and an industry
Abdul
firm is the unit which transform inputs to output where as industry contain combination of firms with similar production 😅😅
Abdulraufu
Suppose the demand function that a firm faces shifted from Qd  120 3P to Qd  90  3P and the supply function has shifted from QS  20  2P to QS 10  2P . a) Find the effect of this change on price and quantity. b) Which of the changes in demand and supply is higher?
Toofiq Reply
explain standard reason why economic is a science
innocent Reply
factors influencing supply
Petrus Reply
what is economic.
Milan Reply
scares means__________________ends resources. unlimited
Jan
economics is a science that studies human behaviour as a relationship b/w ends and scares means which have alternative uses
Jan
calculate the profit maximizing for demand and supply
Zarshad Reply
Why qualify 28 supplies
Milan
what are explicit costs
Nomsa Reply
out-of-pocket costs for a firm, for example, payments for wages and salaries, rent, or materials
AI-Robot
concepts of supply in microeconomics
David Reply
economic overview notes
Amahle Reply
identify a demand and a supply curve
Salome Reply
i don't know
Parul
there's a difference
Aryan
Demand curve shows that how supply and others conditions affect on demand of a particular thing and what percent demand increase whith increase of supply of goods
Israr
Hi Sir please how do u calculate Cross elastic demand and income elastic demand?
Abari
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Source:  OpenStax, Algebra and trigonometry. OpenStax CNX. Nov 14, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11758/1.6
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