Function Story Problems
Name:
1. The profit from selling s number of t-shirts is described by the following function:
p(s) = 8s – 500.
a) Name the type of function
b) Find p(70). Describe what these numbers tell you in terms of the problem.
c) Find p(0). Describe what these numbers tell you in terms of the problem.
d) Find p(s) = 0. Describe what these numbers tell you in terms of the problem.
e) Do any of the numbers not make sense in terms of the situation? What would the domain of this function be
to keep it realistic?
2. The value of a car is given by the following function where v is the value of the car and t is the time in years:
v(t) = 20,000(.90)t.
a) Name the type of function
b) Find v(1)
c) Find v(0). Describe what these numbers tell you in terms of the problem.
d) Do any of the numbers not make sense in terms of the situation? What would the domain of this function be
to keep it realistic?
3. A ball is thrown directly upward from an initial height of 200 feet with an initial velocity of 96 feet per
second. The equation to model this situation is ℎ(𝑡) = −16𝑡 2 + 96𝑡 + 200
a) Name the type of function.
b) Using your calculator find all of the important values for this equation and describe what their meaning is in
terms of the problem (what is their “real life” meaning).
4. Sandy invests $300 at a bank that offers 5% compounded annually. The equation that models the growth of
interest is 𝑓(𝑥) = 300(1.05)𝑥
a) Name the type of function.
b) Using your calculator find all of the important values for this equation and describe what their meaning is in
terms of the problem (what is their “real life” meaning).
5. A snowstorm begins with light snow that increases to very heavy snow before decreasing again. The
snowfall rate r (in inches per hour) is given by 𝑟(𝑡) = −.5|𝑡 − 4| + 2 where t is the time (in hours).
a) Name the type of function.
b) Using your calculator find all of the important values for this equation and describe what their meaning is in
terms of the problem (what is their “real life” meaning).