Quadratic Applications

with Solutions

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STEPS to Solve Word

Problems
1.
2.
3.
4.

Read and reread the problem.

Try to picture the problem.
Ask what you are looking for?
Determine which formula you should
use to solve the problem.
5. Use the formula to solve and conclude
with an answer in sentence form.

Page 34 # 26
A submarine travelling in a parabolic arc ascends to the surface.
The path of the submarine is described by y 2 x 2 10 x 50,
where x represents the time in minutes and y represents the depth
of the submarine in metres.
a) How deep is the submarine initially?

What are we trying to find out?

The depth of the submarine at time 0. So
we have to substitute 0 for x in the
function.

y 2 x 10 x 50
2
y 2(0) 10(0) 50
y 50
2

Initially, the sub is 50 m below the surface.

Page 34 # 26
A submarine travelling in a parabolic arc ascends to the surface.
2
The path of the submarine is described by y 2 x 10 x 50,
where x represents the time in minutes and y represents the depth
of the submarine in metres.
b) For how long is the submarine
underwater?

What are we trying to find out?

The positive root of the quadratic equation

which will tell where the sub surfaces on
the x time line.

2 x 2 10 x 50 0

10 100 400
x
4
10 10 5
x
4
x 8.1
The submarine is underwater for approximately 8.1 minutes.

Page 34 # 26
A submarine travelling in a parabolic arc ascends to the surface.
2
The path of the submarine is described by y 2 x 10 x 50,
where x represents the time in minutes and y represents the depth
of the submarine in metres.
c) What is the deepest position from the surface?

What are we trying to find out?

The minimum value of the function that occurs at

the vertex.
Use the
Vertex
Formula

b
x
2a
10
x
4
x 2.5

y 2 x 2 10 x 50

Solve
for y

y 2 x 2 10 x 50
2
y 2(2.5) 10(2.5) 50
y 62.5

The subs deepest position was 62.5 m below the surface.

Page 44 # 6
The manager of a peach orchard is trying to decide when to
arrange for picking the peaches.If they are picked now, the average
yield per tree will be 100 kg, which can be sold for 40 per kg. Past
experience shows that the yield per tree will increase about 5 kg
weekly, while the price will decrease by 1 per kg weekly.
a) When should the peaches be picked in order to maximize
the revenue, and what will the maximum revenue be?

What are we trying to find out?

We are looking for the maximum revenue so we need to determine the
vertex, but first we must determine the quadratic function for Revenue.
Let x represent
the number of
weeks before
picking.

Revenue = Price X Quantity

If picked today , Re venue 100 0.40

If picked in one week , Re venue (100 5) (.40 .01)

If picked in x weeks, Re venue (100 5 x) (.40 .01x)

Our quadratic function is

R( x) (100 5 x)(.40 .01x)

R ( x) 40 x .05 x 2

Page 44 # 6
The manager of a peach orchard is trying to decide when to
arrange for picking the peaches.If they are picked now, the average
yield per tree will be 100 kg, which can be sold for 40 per kg. Past
experience shows that the yield per tree will increase about 5 kg
weekly, while the price will decrease by 1 per kg weekly.
a) When should the peaches be picked in order to maximize
the revenue, and what will the maximum revenue be?

What are we trying to find out?

We are looking for the maximum revenue so we need to determine the
vertex, but first we must determine the quadratic function for Revenue.
Use the
Vertex
Formula

b
x
2a
1
x
0.1

x 10

R ( x) 40 x .05 x 2
Solve
for y

R( x) 40 x .05 x 2
R( x) 40 10 .05(10) 2
R( x) 45

The peaches should be picked in 5 weeks for a maximum

revenue of $45.

Page 44 # 6
The manager of a peach orchard is trying to decide when to
arrange for picking the peaches.If they are picked now, the average
yield per tree will be 100 kg, which can be sold for 40 per kg. Past
experience shows that the yield per tree will increase about 5 kg
weekly, while the price will decrease by 1 per kg weekly.
b) When will the revenue be zero?

What are we trying to find out?

We are looking for the root of the quadratic equation.

R ( x) 40 x .05 x 2
Lets use the
Quadratic Formula
a=-.05
b=1
c=40

b b 2 4ac
x
2a
1 12 4(.05)(40)c
x
2(.05)
x

1 9
2(.05)

x 20

inadmissable

x 40

If the peaches are picked in 40 weeks, the revenue will be $0.

Page 54 # 48
A chemical power plant is rectangular and has a length of 100 m and
a width of 60 m. A safety zone of uniform width surrounds the
plant. If the area of the safety zone equals the area of the plant,
what is the width of the safety zone?

What are we trying to find out?

60 m
100 m

We are finding the width of the safety zone, which we will

represent by x. So we will finding the roots of the equation
we determine.

Area of Chemical Plant = 60 X 100

= 6000 m2
Let x represent the width of the safety zone
Area of Safety Zone = Area of Total Space Area of Chemical Plant
= (100 + 2x)(60 + 2x) (100)(60)
= (6000 + 320x + 4x2 ) (6000)
= 320x + 4x2

Page 54 # 48
A chemical power plant is rectangular and has a length of 100 m and
a width of 60 m. A safety zone of uniform width surrounds the
plant. If the area of the safety zone equals the area of the plant,
what is the width of the safety zone?
So, Area of the Safety Zone = 320x + 4x2

60 m

But the Area of the Safety Zone must equal the Area of the
Chemical Plant

4 x 2 320 x 6000
4 x 2 320 x 6000 0
x 2 80 x 1500 0

100 m

Solve for x.

b b 2 4ac
x
2a
80 6400 6000
2
80 12400
x
2
x

This solution is
inadmissible.

x 15.68 or 95.68

The width of the safety zone is approximately 15.68 m.

Look for clues.

Remember to look
for clues in the
Word Problem.
Which Critical
Point will give
you the Answer?

When youve got

the Quadratic
Function,
determine which
formula to use
and
WORK IT OUT!

You did it!

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Problem
Whizzes!