Modeling with Rational Functions Answers

Louis plans to buy a new washing machine. The washing machine costs $560 and has an estimated annual operating cost of $48. Which rational function models the average annual cost in dollars of owning the washing machine for x years?

The function yields the average cost in dollars for a company to produce x copies of a comic book. Which statement best fits the situation modeled by the function?

A scientist has 40 liters of a 50% acidic solution. She adds a 20% acidic solution to create a mixture that has been diluted to have 30% acidity. The graph models the percent of acidity in the final mixture. How many liters of the 20% acidic solution should be added to create the needed 30% acidity in the final mixture?

A pharmacist has 80 milliliters of a 30% saline solution. The graph shows the percentage concentration after adding x milliliters of a 10% saline solution. Which statement is true about the graph of the function?

The function models y, the average annual cost in dollars of owning a car for x years. Which statement best explains why the graph of should have a vertical asymptote at x = 0?

For a fixed amount of gas at a constant temperature, the volume of the gas is inversely proportional to its pressure. The function relates the volume in cubic inches and pressure in pounds per square inch of a gas. What is the volume when the pressure is 900 pounds per square inch?

A 22,800-gallon swimming pool is being filled by four hoses. Water flows through each hose at a rate of 300 gallons per hour. How many hours will it take to fill the pool?

Peter wants to borrow $3,000. He has two payment plans to choose from. Plan A charges 4% interest over 6 years. Plan B charges 5% interest over 4 years. The formula can be used to calculate the monthly payment, m, where P is the principle amount borrowed, r is the interest rate expressed as a decimal, and t is the time of the loan, in years. Which statement best compares the plans?

The function relates y, the time in hours that it takes Michael to travel to his grandparents’ house, to x, his average speed in miles per hour. What does the number 60 in the function represent?

The Watkins family is trying to decide which kind of in-ground pool to install. They are determining whether to put in a saltwater pool or a basic chlorine pool. The graphs below model the average annual cost of owning each type of pool after t years. If the family plans to move to their retirement home in 10 years, which pool would be more cost effective to install? How do you know?