2.1 Example of a Function

Example 2.1.1

A shirt manufacturer may decide to produce a certain number of shirts of a particular size and style. The first task is to find out the amount of material needed.

Then,

[latex]\begin{align*} &\text{Amount of Material} &= m &→ \text{DEPENDENT VARIABLE }(y)\\ &\text{depends on} &&→ \text{IS A FUNCTION OF}\\ &\text{Number of Shirts} &= n &→\text{INDEPENDENT VARIABLE }(x) \end{align*}[/latex]

 

 

A function must be described in such a way that you can find the value of the dependent variable from the value of the independent variable. Three standard ways of doing this are used in this course.

They are,

  • an equation, which allows you to calculate the value of the dependent variable for each value of the independent variable.
  • a table, which lists the value of the dependent variable for each value of the independent variable.
  • a graph, which displays the value of the dependent variable for each value of the independent variable.

Example 2.1.2

Suppose a series of items are to be marked up by 40% of cost. The selling price (the value wanted) can be described in terms of the cost (the value known) in the following ways:
Graph of the equation S = 1.4C

 

All of these approaches give the selling price,  (dependent variable), as a function of the cost, (independent variable). A function like this, where one variable is a multiple of another, is called direct variation.

Note that such functions follow the algebra convention which states that when single letters are used to stand for variables, multiplication is to be used when no other operation is given, so that

[latex]1.4 C \text{ means }1.4\times C[/latex]

Key Takeaways

Equations provide short descriptions of functions and enable you to find precise values of the dependent variable.

 

Also, you will follow the graphing convention which requires that the independent variable be drawn on the horizontal axis and equal the dependent variable on the vertical axis.

Each way of describing functions has its own advantages. Equations have the advantage of providing short descriptions of functions and enabling you to find precise values of the dependent variable when you need them. However, it may be difficult to do the calculation, or to understand the overall behavior of the function.

Key Takeaways

Tables give values immediately, without calculation …  Graphs communicate an overall understanding of the way a function behaves.

 

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