Module 7: Rational Functions and Function Operations

 

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This is a photo of a can of peas.

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Suppose you are working with a vegetable cannery to design aluminum can dimensions. You have been asked to work specifically with the volume-to-surface-area ratio. The company has asked that all cans have a height of 11.5 cm so that the cans will fit on shelves properly.

  1.  
    1. Give a function, V(r), that gives the volume as a function of the radius of the can.
    2. Give a function, S(r), that gives the surface area as a function of the radius.
    3. The volume-to-surface-area ratio as a function of height can be written as  . Expand this expression using the functions from question parts a. and b.
    4. Simplify the function R(r) by cancelling common factors, and determine any non-permissible values for R(r).
  2.  
    1. Describe what happens to the volume-to-surface-area ratio as r increases and the height is kept at 11.5 cm.
    2. Explain how much the volume-to-surface-area ratio should influence the can dimensions selected.
  3.  
    1. r = 0 and r = −11.5 are non-permissible values for R(r). Ignoring physical limitations, explain where each of these values comes from.
    2. Complete a table like the following for the values near the two non-permissible values:

      r R(r) r R(r)
      −0.1   −11.6  
      −0.01   −11.51  
      −0.001   −11.501  
      0 indeterminate −11.5 undefined
      0.001   −11.499  
      0.01   −11.49  
      0.1   −11.4  
    3. Explain what happens to the value of R(r) as r approaches each non-permissible value.
    4. Calculate the value of the numerator and denominator when R(r) is indeterminate and when R(r) is undefined. Use this information to predict the difference between an indeterminate and an undefined value.
  4.  
    1. Graph   and   using technology.
    2. Can you tell where the undefined value at r = −11.5 occurs just by looking at either graph?
    3. Can you tell where the indeterminate value at r = 0 occurs just by looking at either graph?
    4. What value does   give for r = 0? What restriction should be placed on  ?

course folder Save your responses in your course folder.

You can graph the function  .

πr is a factor common to the numerator and denominator:

 

 

Use an unsimplified version of R(r).
SAcylinder = 2πr2 + 2πrh
Vcylinder = πr2h