Chapter 8.3, Problem 42HP

To determine

To explain how rational functions can be used in fundraising and only part of the graph is meaningful in context of the problem.

Answer to Problem 42HP

If $\text{c}$ represents the number of candy bars each student has to sell and $\text{n}$ represents the number of students, then $c=\frac{5000}{n}$ .

Only a part of the graph is meaningful in the context of the problem, because the number of students cannot be negative or cannot be equal to $0$ . There must also be some limitations on the maximum number of students.

Explanation of Solution

Given information:

The given statement is:

“The East High School Chorale wants to raise $\$5000$ to fund a trip to a national competition in Tampa. They have decided to sell candy bars. They will make a $\$1$ profit on each candy bar they sell, so they need to sell $5000$ candy bars.”

If $c$ represents the number of candy bars each student has to sell and $n$ represents the number of students, then

  $c=\frac{5000}{n}$ .

Hence, a rational function is used in fundraising.

Only a part of the graph is meaningful in the context of the problem, because the number of students cannot be negative or cannot be equal to $0$ . There must also be some limitations on the maximum number of students.