Project I – Quadratic Functions ✓ Solved
Project I – Quadratic Functions Project Quadratic Functions Pro
One of the many applications of quadratic functions is called the Profit Parabola. The Profit Parabola can be seen if we investigate the following scenario: The business manager of a 90 unit apartment building is trying to determine the rent to be charged. From past experience with similar buildings, when rent is set at $400, all the units are full. For every $20 increase in rent, one additional unit remains vacant. What rent should be charged for maximum total revenue? What is that maximum total revenue?
1. To help solve the above scenario, perform an internet search for Profit Parabola or Applications of Quadratic Functions. List the URL of one of the applications that you find.
2. Go to PurpleMath “Max/Min Word Problems” to see the process used for determining the quadratic function for revenues R(x) as a function of price hikes x. Use this process to determine the quadratic function that models the revenues R(x) as a function of price hikes x in the apartment building scenario above. SHOW ALL YOUR WORK!
3. What is the formula for revenues R after x $20 price hikes in the apartment building?
4. Graph the function. Clearly label the graph (desmos.com is a great online graphing resource).
5. Find the maximum revenue (or income) of the apartment building.
6. What is the rent that coincides with this maximum revenue?
7. What is the outcome of the rent hike of $20 results in 2 additional vacancies instead of 1 additional vacancy? Recalculate questions 3, 5, 6 for this new scenario.
8. Set up a similar scenario of your own invention using a business that you are interested in. Write up the scenario (problem) and the solution process involved. Find the solution to the problem you invented. Graph the function and attach it.
Paper For Above Instructions
The relationship between price and demand is crucial in determining revenue, and this is well illustrated through the use of quadratic functions. The problem presented in this project revolves around finding the optimal rent to maximize total revenue in a 90 unit apartment building under specific conditions, totaling a comprehensive analysis of quadratic equations and their applications in real-world scenarios.
Understanding the Profit Parabola
The Profit Parabola, derived from the general principles of quadratic functions, describes the relationship between revenue, price, and quantity sold. In this context, the revenue \( R \) can be expressed as a function of rent hikes. As rent increases, while revenue from occupied units rises, the total number of occupied units declines due to a rise in vacancies, which is a classic application of the quadratic function.
Scenario Analysis
In our scenario, all 90 units are occupied when the rent is set at $400. Upon increasing the rent by $20, one unit remains vacant. Thus, we can express the revenue function as follows:
Let \( x \) be the number of $20 rent increases. The rent per apartment is given by \( 400 + 20x \), and the number of occupied units is \( 90 - x \). Therefore, the revenue function \( R(x) \) can be formulated as:
R(x) = (90 - x)(400 + 20x)
Expanding this, we have:
R(x) = 36000 + 1800x - 20x^2
This forms a downward-opening parabola, as indicated by the negative coefficient of the \( x^2 \) term.
Calculating Maximum Revenue
To find the maximum revenue, we identify the vertex of the parabola represented by \( R(x) \). The x-coordinate of the vertex for a quadratic function \( ax^2 + bx + c \) is determined by the formula \( x = - \frac{b}{2a} \). Here, \( a = -20 \) and \( b = 1800 \):
x = -\frac{1800}{2(-20)} = 45
This indicates 45 $20 price hikes resulting in a new rent of:
400 + 20(45) = $1400
Substituting \( x = 45 \) back into the revenue function:
R(45) = (90 - 45)(400 + 20(45)) = 45(1400) = $63000
The maximum revenue is therefore $63,000, which occurs when the rent is set at $1,400 per unit.
Revising for New Context
For the scenario where each $20 increase results in two units remaining vacant instead of one, we need to adjust our function. In this instance, the number of occupied units becomes \( 90 - 2x \). The new revenue function is thus:
R(x) = (90 - 2x)(400 + 20x)
Expanding gives us:
R(x) = 36000 + 1800x - 40x^2
Identifying the vertex:
x = -\frac{1800}{2(-40)} = 22.5
So at 22.5 price hikes, the new rent will be:
400 + 20(22.5) = $850
Calculating revenue:
R(22.5) = (90 - 2(22.5))(850) = 45(850) = $38250
When the $20 increase results in two vacancies, the maximum revenue is $38,250 occurring at a rent of $850.
Creating a New Scenario
Creating a new business scenario, let us consider a coffee shop that sells cups for $5. For each $1 increase in price, one less customer visits. With a maximum of 100 customers, the revenue function for this coffee shop could be framed as:
R(y) = (100 - y)(5 + y)
Where \( y \) is the number of $1 price increases. This expands to:
R(y) = 500 + 100y - y^2
The vertex gives us the maximum revenue:
y = 50
The price will then be $55, generating:
R(50) = (100 - 50)(55) = 50(55) = $2750
The new creative business scenario illustrates how quadratic functions remain applicable across different industries for maximizing revenue.
Graphing the Functions
To visualize these revenue functions, using Desmos or similar tools is recommended. Each function graphed will reflect the characteristic parabolic shape, showing the relationship between pricing strategies and total revenue.
Conclusion
Quadratic functions provide vital insights into revenue optimization across various sectors. Through the analysis of scenarios such as apartment rent adjustments or coffee pricing strategies, one can derive valuable strategies to enhance profitability.
References
- Desmos. (n.d.). Graphing Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.desmos.com/calculator
- PurpleMath. (n.d.). Max/Min Word Problems. Retrieved from https://www.purplemath.com/modules/maxmin.htm
- Algebra-Help. (n.d.). Profit Parabola. Retrieved from https://www.algebra-help.org/profit-parabola.html
- Math is Fun. (n.d.). Quadratic Functions. Retrieved from https://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/quadratic-functions.html
- Wolfram Alpha. (n.d.). Quadratic Function. Retrieved from https://www.wolframalpha.com
- Khan Academy. (n.d.). Quadratic Functions Intro. Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/quadratics
- OpenStax. (2016). Algebra and Trigonometry. Retrieved from https://openstax.org/books/algebra-and-trigonometry/pages/2-7-quadratic-functions
- Marc’s Math. (n.d.). Revenue Functions. Retrieved from https://marcsmath.com/revenue-functions/
- Investopedia. (n.d.). Profit Maximization. Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/profit-maximization.asp
- Mathway. (n.d.). Quadratic Revenue Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.mathway.com/calculators/quadratic-revenue-calculator