Math232 section 1.

2
Linear functions and its applications
Zheng Chen@suno
zchen@suno

Def. of functions

A function involves two variables say, x and y, when x changes,

y will change with x and satisfy the following conditions: for a any
given x value, there is only one y value corresponding to this value.
X is called as independent variable, y dependent variable.
denoted as y=f(x), f is the name for this function, or the rule (about
how to decide y value from a given x value). Read f(2) as f of 2,
which means the function value when x =2.
Ex 1, f(x)=3.3 x is a function, f(2)=6.6
Ex 2 . g(x)=1.5 for any real values x.

Cont.of functions

Linear function: a function with the form

y=ax +b, where a and b are constants.
y=-2x+3 a linear function;

each of the functions y x 2 5, y 21xx5

is not linear functions

Applications of linear functions

Now we know for a linear function, linear

means the graph is a line.

Ex 1 A practical problem: someone makes copies of a music cd to

earn money. To start this business, he needs to buy original cd,
license, cd burner, after making 1st copy, he can make more.
essentially, he will spend same money to make
2nd one and third one. the cost function is like the following:
C=500+0.8x, when x is the number of copies, $500 fixed fee before
production

Def. of a cost function

gerenrally, Cost Function C(x) = a x + b

(cost is expenditure)
x = # items produced, C = C(x) = cost
of x items, a = unit cost, b = fixed cost.

Another related function

Revenue function:
R(x) = k x (Revenue is income)
where x = # of items sold, R = R(x) =
Revenue, k = unit sell price
Ex 2 selling the copies, R(x)=5.8x
price of one copy=$5.8, x number of
copies

What does the difference mean?

R ( x) C ( x)
The difference
means the profit from production and selling
Profit Function P(x) = R(x)- C(x)
Break Even Analysis: Break Even when
P(x) = 0 (same as R(x) = C(x))
Break Even means no loss and no profit

Break even
Ex 3, C(x)=500+0.8
R(x)=5.8x
Break even when 500+0.8x=5.8x
Solving this equation, we have x=100

Geometric meaning
The above process is same as to
solve a system y 5000.8 x

y 5.8 x

Now the solution is the intersection point of two

lines with equation: y 5000.8 x
and y 5.8 x
the intersection point is called equilibrium pt.

Hw
ex1) Let C(x) = 220 x + 8000 = manufacter's cost to produce x bicycles.
(a) Fixed cost = C(0)
(b) Unit cost = cost for 1 additional item = C(1) - C(0)
(c) Find the cost to produce 40 bicycles.
(d) How many bicycles was produced if the cost was $30,000

ex2) Let C(x) = 35 x + 4400 = cost to produce x copies of a certain

book. Find:
(a) fixed cost and unit cost
(b) cost to produce 1000 books
(c) How many books are produced if the total cost was $14900
zchen@suno

hw

Ex3, Let R(x) = 420x where x = #

bicycles sold, R = Revenue
Ex4, Let R(x) = 85x where x = # of books
sol

hw
Ex5, Let C(x) = 220 x + 8000 = manufacter's cost to
produce x bicycles.
Let R(x) = 420x where x = # bicycles sold, R =
Revenue
(a) Find profit function.
(b) Find break even point.
(c) Profit is $3000. Find x.
(d) Profit is greater than $5000.
(e) Loss is $3000.
(f) Loss is greater than $2000

hw

Ex6, Let C(x) = 35 x + 4400 = cost to

produce x copies of a certain book.
Let R(x) = 85x where x = # of books sold
(a) Find profit function (b) Find break
even point.

Depreciation (or Appreciation)

Straight Line Depreciation (or Appreciation)
B(t) = m t + n

B(t) = (book) value of an item after t years since

new. n = value of new item,
m = annual appreciation value (depreciation
when m < 0 and |m| =depreciation amount)
Ex7, Let B(t) = -3000 t + 24000 be the book
value of a certain car