LEARNING OBJECTIVES

This chapter will enable you to learn the concepts and application of:
• Real number system
• Complex and imaginary numbers
• Definition of sequence and series
• About sigma notation
• Principal of Mathematical Induction
• Relations and functions

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Numbers are so fundamental that we are using them every time in the form of units of
measurements of mass, space and time. In primitive society, perhaps, the number began with the
counting of people, animals, various articles and possessions of man. We shall not try to define
what numbers are, but taking them as known, we make attempt to classify them and state some of
their properties.

1.2 REAL NUMBER SYSTEM

NATURAL NUMBERS

The numbers first invented are those used for counting. We too, as young children first learnt to
count and thus became acquainted with the counting numbers:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, ..........
These are the positive whole numbers, which are called the natural numbers. The smallest
natural number is 1, but there is no largest natural number, because regardless of how large at
number is chosen, there exist larger ones. Thus we say that there are infinitely many natural
numbers.
If any two natural numbers are added, the result will be another natural number. For example,
5 + 5 = 10 and 3 + 8 = 11.
Similarly, if any two natural numbers are multiplied, the product will be a natural number. For
example,
4 × 4 = 16 and 6 × 7 = 42.
 2║ Business Mathematics

These two properties are stated by saying that natural numbers are closed under addition and
multiplication. Zero is not a natural number.
Therefore, the set of all natural numbers is denoted by N and is defined by
N = {1, 2, 3, !! , + ∞} .
INTEGERS

If we subtract a natural number from another, we do not always get a natural number. For
example: 3 − 3 = 0,4 − 9 = −5 i.e. 0 and − 5 are not natural numbers. Then we extend the
numbers to include zero and the negative integers: 0,−1,−2,−3,−4,−5,!!
The above numbers taken together with the natural numbers form the integers or whole numbers:
!!,−4, − 3, − 2, − 1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, !!
Therefore, the set of integers consists of natural numbers (or positive integers), zero and the
negative integers. Thus, the integers are closed under addition, subtraction and multiplication.
The set of all integers is denoted by Z and is defined by Z = {−∞ !!,−2,−1,0,1,2, !! + ∞}
= {o, ± 1, ± 2, ± 3, ± 4, !!,±∞ } .
RATIONAL NUMBERS

If we divide an integer by another integer, we do not always get an integer. For Example,
3 2 7
, and are not integers. These are called fractions. Thus the entire collection of such
4 9 3
fractions including the integers is called the rational numbers. Hence, a rational number is a
p
number which can be put in the form , where p and q are integers and q is not equal to zero.
q
p
The set of all rational numbers is denoted by Q and is defined by Q = {
: p, q ∈ Z and q ≠ 0}.
q
p
Here p and q are termed as numerator and denominator of the rational number . Rational
q
numbers can also be represented by decimals. The representations of some fractions are
1 2 1
terminating decimal numbers. For example, = 0.5, = 0.4, = 0.125. Other fractions,
2 5 8
however, have repeating decimal representation. For example,
1 5 2
= 0.3333........ = 0.3, = 0.454545............. = .45, = 0.285714285714..... = 0.285714.
3 11 7
So, every terminating and repeating decimal number is rational number.
 Number System ║3

FRACTIONS
p
If p and q are integers, with q ≠ 0 , then is called a fraction (or a rational number). Here p and
q
5
q are termed as numerator and denominator respectively. In the fraction , 5 is the numerator
8
and 8 is the denominator. If the numerator is less than the denominator, the fraction is called a
5
proper fraction. Here is a proper fraction. If the numerator is greater than the denominator,
8
9 17
the fraction is called an improper fraction. For example, and are improper fractions.
8 5

IRRATIONAL NUMBERS

During the process of extracting square roots of numbers 2,3,5,7,31 etc., we find that the results
p
are not rational numbers, as they cannot be put in the form of . Thus a number which cannot be
q
p
expressed as , where p and q are integers and q ≠ 0 is called an irrational number and it is
q
denoted by Q ʹ . That is Q ∩ Qʹ = ϕ . For example, 2, 3, 5, 31, …are irrational
numbers.

Note: The irrational numbers can also be expressed in non-terminating decimals. For example,
2 = 1.4142135 ......., π = 3.14159625........., 7 = 2.6457513.......

Remarks: For rational numbers, the infinite decimals have a repeating pattern of a number or a
1 5
group of number. For example, = 0.3333......., = 0.4545........, where as for irrational
3 11
numbers, the non-terminating decimals have no such pattern. For
example, 3 = 1.3720508 ......, 5 = 2.2360680 ..... .
Therefore every non-terminating and non-repeating decimal number is irrational number.
 4║ Business Mathematics

REAL NUMBERS
The collection of all the rational and irrational numbers is called the system of real numbers. It is
denoted by R and so R = Q ∪ Qʹ . A diagram of the set of real numbers is shown in the following
figure:

Figure-1.1 Real Number System

EVEN AND ODD NUMBERS

An integer is said to be even if it is divisible by 2, otherwise it is said to be an odd integer. Thus
the even integers are: .........., -6, -4, -2, 0, 2, 4, 6,...........; and the odd integers are: .........-7, -5, -3,
-1, 1, 3, 5, 7,......... Since an even integer is divisible by 2, we can write every even integer in the
form 2n, where odd integer can be written in the form (2n+1). The other forms of writing the odd
integers are: 2n-1, 2n+3, 2n-3 or, 2n+5, 2n-5, etc. If two even integers or two odd integers are
added or subtracted, the result is an even integer. For example: 6+10 = 16, 5+9 = 14, 18-24 = -6,
13-3 = 10. Similarly, if two even integers or two odd integers are multiplied the result is a
respective number. For example, 4 × 8 = 32 (even integer)
7 × 13 = 91 (odd integer)
On the other hand, if an even and an odd integer are multiplied together, the result is an even
integer, for example, 9 × 14 = 126, (even integer)
11 × 8 = 88 (even integer)
If an even and an odd integer are added or subtracted, the result is an odd integer, for example,
21+14 = 35 (odd integer)
94-27 = 67 (odd integer)
 Number System ║5

PRIME NUMBERS

A number which is not exactly divisible by any number except itself and unity is called a prime
number or a prime. The first few primes are:
2, 3, 5, 7,11,13,17,19, 23, 29,31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53, ...........
Remark: It should be clearly noted that 1 is not included in the prime numbers. The fact that 1 is
not a prime is a mathematical convention. The details are not within in the scope of this book.

LIST OF SOME PRIMES

15 primes between 1 and 50
25 primes between 1 and 100
168 primes between 1 and 1000
303 primes between 1 and 2000
430 primes between 1 and 3000
550 primes between 1 and 4000
669 primes between 1 and 5000
Nevertheless, the list of primes is endless; i.e. there are infinitely many prime Numbers.

COMPOSITE NUMBERS

A number, which is divisible, by other numbers besides itself and unity is called a composite
number. For example, 35 is a composite number because it has divisors 1, 5,7,35. Two numbers
which have no common factor except unity are said to be relatively prime to each other. Thus 24
is prime to 77 and 35 is prime to 48. Every composite number can be represented uniquely as a
product of prime factors. For example,
36 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 = 22 × 32 ,
45 = 3 × 3 × 5 = 32 × 5,
150 = 2 × 3 × 5 × 5 = 2 × 3 × 52.
For the factorization, the following technique can be used.
 6║ Business Mathematics

1.3 ABSOLUTE VALUE OF A NUMBER

The absolute value of a real number `a ' is denoted by a and is defined by the following:
(i) If `a ' is positive or zero, then a = a
(ii) If `a ' is negative, then a = −a
⎧ a when a ≥ 0
Symbolically, we can write a = ⎨
⎩− a when a < 0
Absolute value of a number can never be negative.
For example, 5 = 5, − 6 = −(−6) = 6, − 0 = 0.
12 − − 12 = 12 − 12 = 0, 13 + − 4 = 13 + 4 = 17.

1.6 COMPLEX AND IMAGINARY NUMBERS

Complex Numbers: The set of all complex numbers is denoted by C and is defined by
C = {a + ib : a, b ∈ R and i 2 = −1}, where a is called real part of complex number and b is called
imaginary part of complex number and i is the imaginary unit.
For examples: 2 + i3, 2 - i3, i3, 2, 4 + i6 etc.
Note: Every real number is a complex number having imaginary part 0 (zero),
because 2 = 2 + i.0.

Imaginary Numbers: Square root of any negative numbers is called imaginary number.
In other words, any number of the form: i b , where b ∈ R and i 2 = −1 is called an imaginary
number.
For Example: 2i, − 2 , − 5 , − 3 etc.

Definition of Function
If there exists a relation between two real variables x and y such that for every value of x in a
given set X, we get a definite value of y, then y is called a function of x and we write y = f (x ).
Here x is called the independent variable and y is the dependent variable. The set X in which x
varies is called the domain of the function. The set of all values of ‘f’ is called range of ‘f’.
Domain and range: The domain of a function is a set of possible values of the independent
variables and the range is the corresponding set of values of the dependent variable.

Illustration-27: (a) Find the domain of the function defined below:

X 1 2 3 5 6
F(x) 0 1 2 4 5
 Number System ║7

What is the range of the function?

(b) Consider the function y = 2x + 3. What is the domain of the function?
Solution: (a) If A be the set of value of x, then A = {1,2,3,5,6}. The set A is the domain of the
function f (x ).
The set B of all values of f (x ) is B = {0,2,4,5}, which is the range of f (x ).
(b) y = 2x + 3, i.e., f (x ) = 2x + 3.
Here the function f (x ) is defined for all real values for x.
The domain of f (x ) is the set R of all real numbers.

TYPES OF FUNCTIONS

(a) Explicit and Implicit Functions: If a function is expressed directly in terms of the
independent variable alone, then it is called an explicit function. Otherwise it is an implicit
function.
For example,
i. y = 3x 2 + 2 is an explicit function for all real x, but 3x − 5y = 2 is an implicit function.
ii. x 2 + y2 = 16 is an implicit function, but y = 16 − x 2 is an explicit function.

But from an implicit function, it is not always possible to find y as an explicit function of x .
(b) Algebraic Function
An expression containing fixed number of terms involving a variable, say x, formed by the
operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, involution (powers) and
evolution (roots) is called an algebraic function of x.
x+2 x
For example, 3x 2 + 2, 2
, x 2 − 5, etc. are algebraic functions.
x − 3x + 4 2
x + 6x + 5
An algebraic function may be either a polynomial or rational or an irrational function.
i. Polynomial Function: An expression of the form
a 0 x n + a1x n−1 + a 2 x n−2 + ......a n−1x + a n ,
where a 0 , a 1 , a 2 ........., a n are constants and n is a positive integer, is called a polynomial
function or a rational integral function of x degree n and it is denoted by P(x ). Clearly to
each real number a, we get the number P(a ) .
Examples: x + 2, x 2 + 3x + 5, x 3 + 2 etc. are polynomial functions of x of degree 1,2,3
respectively.
 8║ Business Mathematics

ii. Rational Function: A rational function is the ratio of two polynomial functions of the same
P(x )
variable. If P(x ) and Q(x ) be two polynomial functions of x, then R (x ) = is a
Q(x )
rational function of x. Clearly this function associates to each real number a, the value R(a ) ,
except those values of ‘a’ for which Q(a ) = 0.
2x + 3 x 2 + 5x + 6
Examples: , , etc rational functions of x.
x 2 + 3x − 4 x 2 − 9 x + 20
iii. Irrational Function: Algebraic functions which are not rational, i.e. functions like
2x + 3, x 2 − 5x + 6 are called irrational function.

(c) Transcendental Functions

Functions, which are not algebraic, are called transcendental functions. Trigonometric
functions, inverse trigonometric functions, logarithmic functions, exponential functions etc.
are all transcendental functions.

Examples: Sin x, cos x, tan x, sin -1x, cos−1 x, tan −1 x log x, log(1 + x ), ex , a x etc. are all
transcendental functions.

Trigonometric Functions
sin x, cos x, tan x and their reciprocals cos ecx, sec x, cot x are called trigonometric functions. In
these functions the angles x are measured in radians (or circular measures), where 1800 = π
radians= π c .

Inverse trigonometric functions:

sin −1 x, cos−1 x, tan −1 x, sec−1 x, cos ec−1x, cot −1 x, are called inverse circular functions. Here
− 1 ≤ x ≤ 1 for sin −1 x, cos−1 x and x ≥ 1 or, x ≤ −1 for sec−1 x, cos ec −1x.

Exponential Function
The function e x , where 2 < e < 3(e = 2.71828....), and a x , where a > 0, a ≠ 1, are called
exponential functions.

Logarithmic Function
log e x, log a x where a > 0, a ≠ 1 are called the logarithmic functions of x. Thus
log 2 x(x > 0), log e (1 + x )(x > −1), log e (sin x ), etc. are examples of logarithmic functions.
 Number System ║9

(d) Modulus Function

For each real number x , let x denotes the absolute value of x. then we have

f (x ) = x = {−xx ifif xx≥<00

The function f (x ) = x is called the modulus function of x. In this case, for every value of
x ∈ R , we get a unique value of f (x ). Hence the domain of f (x ) is the set R of all real
numbers.
(e) Even Function and Odd Function
A function f (x ) is said to be an even function of x if f (− x ) = f (x ).
( )
Example: i. f (x ) = x 2 is an even function of x , since f (− x ) = − x 2 = x 2 = f (x ),
ii. f (x ) = cos x is an even function of x, since f (− x ) = cos(− x ) = cos x = f (x ).
A function f (x ) is said to be an odd function of x if f (− x ) = −f (x ).
3
Example: i. f (x ) = x 3 is an odd function of x, since f (− x ) = (− x ) = − x 3 = −f (x )
ii. f (x ) = sin x is an odd function of x, since f (− x) = sin(− x) = − sin x = − f (x).

x 3 − x 2 + 4x − 7
Illustration-28: Identify the type of the function f (x ) = and determine its domain.
3x + 11
x 3 − x 2 + 4x − 3
Solution: We have f (x ) = …………(1)
3x + 11
From (1), we see that f (x ) is the quotient of two polynomial function x 3 − x 2 + 4x − 7 and
3x + 11. Hence by definition, f (x ) is a rational function.
11
From (1) we see that f (x ) is undefined when 3x + 11 = 0, i.e., when x = − and f (x ) is
3
defined at all other points. Hence the domain of f (x ) is the set of all real numbers except
11 ⎧11 ⎫
x=− Therefore, the domain of f (x ) = R − ⎨ ⎬.
3 ⎩3⎭

Illustration-29: Find the domain of each of the following functions:

1
a. f (x ) = , b. g (x ) = x − 2 .
x −3
Solution:
 10║ Business Mathematics

a. Since division by any real number except zero is possible, the only value of x for which
1
f (x ) = cannot be evaluated is x = 3 , the value that makes the denominator of f (x ) equal
x −3
to zero. Hence, the domain of f (x ) consists of all real numbers except 3
i.e. D f = R − {3}
b. Since negative numbers do not have square roots, the only value of x for which
g (x ) = x − 2 can be evaluated are those for which x − 2 is non-negative. That is,
x − 2 ≥ 0 ⇒ x ≥ 2.
Thus, the domain of g(x ) consists of all real numbers that greater than or equal to 2.
i.e. Dg = {x : x ∈ R , x ≥ 2}

Illustration-30: If f (x ) = 2x 2 + 3x 4 and g(x ) = 3x 3 + 5x , show that f (x ) is an even function

and g(x ) is an odd function of x.

Solution: We have f (x ) = 2x 2 + 3x 4 .
2 4
f (− x ) = 2(− x ) + 3(− x ) = 2x 2 + 3x 4 = f (x ).
Hence f (x )is an even function of x.
Again g(x ) = 3x 3 + 5x

g(− x ) = 3(− x ) + 5(− x ) = −3x 3 − 5x = −(3x 3 + 5x ) = −g(x )

3

Hence g(x )is an odd function of x.

⎛ 1⎞ ⎧ 1 ; x <1
Illustration-31: Find f ⎜ − ⎟ , f (1) and f (2) where f (x ) = ⎨ 3xx−21+1
⎝ 2⎠ ⎩
; x ≥1

1 ⎛ 1⎞
Solution: Since − < 1, we use the top formula in the description of f (x ) to find f ⎜ − ⎟.
2 ⎝ 2⎠
⎛ 1⎞ 1 1 2
f⎜− ⎟ = = =−
⎝ 2 ⎠ − 1 −1 − 3 3
2 2
Again, since both x = 1 and x = 2 satisfy x ≥ 1, we use the bottom formula in the description of
f (x ) to obtain both f (1) and f (2).
 Number System ║11

2 2
f (1) = 3(1) + 1 = 4 and f (2) = 3(2) + 1 = 13.

Illustration-32: If f (x ) = epx +q where p and q are constants, show that

f (a )f (b)f (c) = f (a + b + c)e2q .
Solution: We have f (x ) = epx +q

f (a ) = epa +q , f (b) = epb+q and f (c) = epc+q

LHS= f (a )f (b)f (c) = epa +pb+pc+3q = ep(a+b+c )+3q
Now RHS= f (a + b + c).e2q

e p (a +b+c )+ q .e 2 q = e p (a +b+c )+3q

Hence LHS=RHS

Illustration-33: If f (x ) = 2 x 2 − 5 x + 4, for what values of x is 2 f (x) = f (2x)?

Solution: We have f (x ) = 2x 2 − 5x + 4
2
f (2 x ) = 2(2 x ) − 5(2x ) + 4 = 8x 2 − 10 x + 4
From the condition 2f (x ) = f (2x ), we have
⇒ 2(2x 2 − 5x + 4) = 8x 2 − 10x + 4 ⇒ 4x 2 − 10x + 8 = 8x 2 − 10x + 4
⇒ 4x 2 = 4 ⇒ x 2 = 1 ⇒ x = ±1.
1.12 BUSINESS APPLICATION

Problem-1: A firm has determined that the total revenue R, in Taka, from the sales of q units of a
product is: R = f (q ) = 12q.
a. What will be the total revenue generated by the sale of 800 units of the product?
b. How many units must be sold in order to generate Tk. 24,000 in revenue?
Solution: Revenue, R = f (q) = 12q
a. For 800 units, R = 12 × 800 = Tk.9,600
24,000
b. For revenue Tk. 24,000, we have 24,000 = 12q. ⇒ q = = 2,000 units.
12
Problem-2: Suppose the total cost in Taka of manufacturing q units of a certain commodity is
given by the function C(q) = q3 − 30q 2 + 500q + 200.
a. Compute the cost of manufacturing 10 units of the commodity
12║ Business Mathematics

b. Compute the cost of manufacturing the tenth unit of the commodity.

Solution: Given cost function, C(q) = q3 − 30q 2 + 500q + 200
a. The cost of manufacturing 10 units is the value of the total cost function when q=10.
3 2
That is, cost of 10 units = C(10 ) = (10 ) − 30(10 ) + 500 (10 ) + 200 = Tk.3,200 .
b. The cost of manufacturing the tenth unit is the difference between the cost of manufacturing
10 units and the cost of manufacturing 9 units.
Cost of tenth unit = C(10) − C(9)
Now C(10) = Tk.3,200
C(9) = 93 − 30× 92 + 500 × 9 + 200 = Tk.2,999
Cost of tenth unit = C(10) − C(9) = Tk.(3,200 − 2,999) = Tk.201.

Problem-3: If a firm produces and sells x units of its product, its profit is
p(x ) = −x 2 + 30x − 200 thousands Taka. Find the firm’s profit if it makes and sells 20 units.
Solution: Profit function for x units, p(x ) = −x 2 + 30x − 200
2
For 20 units, profit p(20 ) = −(20 ) + 30 × 20 − 200 = Tk.0

Problem-4: The total cost C of a factory per week is a function of its weekly output Q given by
the equation C = 500 + 12Q. The factory has a capacity limit of 600 units of output per week.
Find the domain of definition and range of the cost function.
Solution: Cost function: C = 500 + 12Q
Since the factory has a capacity limit of 600 units of output per week, therefore we have domain
of definition: 0 ≤ Q ≤ 600 .
When output is zero, then cost C = 500 + 12 × 0 = 500
Again, the factory can produce maximum of 600 units.
For 600 units, C = 500 + 12 × 600 = 7,700
Range of the cost function: 500 ≤ Q ≤ 7,700.

BRIEF REVIEW

Definition
Natural Number: The set of all natural numbers is denoted by N and is defined by
N = {1, 2, 3, !! , + ∞} .
Integers: The set of integers consists of natural numbers (or positive integers), zero and
the negative integers. The set of all integers is denoted by Z and is defined by
 Number System ║13

Z = {−∞ !!,−2,−1,0,1,2,!! + ∞}
= {o, ± 1, ± 2, ± 3, ± 4, !!,±∞ } .
Rational Number: A number which can be expressed as a fraction of integers (assuming
5 −9
that the denominator is never zero) is called a rational number. For examples: , , 2,
2 2
-2, 1.5, 1.52, 1.523, 0.3333……., 1.525252…….., 4 , 1.532532532….., etc.

Irrational Number: A number which can not be expressed as a fraction of two integers,
is called an irrational number. For examples:
2 , 3 , 5 , 3 7 , π , e, 1.01001000100001…….., 2.003000300003……., etc.

Complex Number: The set of all complex numbers is denoted by C and is defined by
C = {a + ib : a, b ∈ R and i 2 = −1}, where a is called real part of complex number and b is called
imaginary part of complex number and i is the imaginary unit.
For examples: 2 + i3, 2 - i3, i3, 2, 4 + i6 etc.

Imaginary Number: Square root of any negative numbers is called imaginary number.
In other words, any number of the form: i b , where b ∈ R and i 2 = −1 is called an imaginary
number. For Examples: 2i, − 2 , − 5 , − 3 etc.

Absolute value of a Number: The absolute value of a real number "a" is denoted by a
and is defined by the following way (i) If "a" is positive or zero than a = a (ii) If "a"
negative, then a = −a. For example, 5 = 5, − 6 = −(−6) = 6.

Real Number: The set of all rational and irrational numbers is called the set of all real
numbers. It is denoted by R. Therefore R = Q ∪ Qʹ .

Prime Number: An integer greater than 1 is prime if its factors only 1 and itself. The
first few primes are: 2, 3, 5, 7,11,13,17,19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53, ...........
 14║ Business Mathematics

Even Number: An Integer or whole number, which is divisible by 2 is called an even

number and generally it can be expressed in the form of 2n .

Odd Number: An integer or whole number is said to be odd number if it is not divisible
by 2 and it can be expressed in the form of (2n + 1).

Composite Number: An integer greater than 1 is composite if its factors not only 1 and
itself. For examples: 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, ………………….

Sequence: A list of numbers such as 1, 8, 27, 64,......., x 3 ,...............; x ∈ N is called a Sequence.

Series: The sum of all the terms of a sequence is called series.

 Number System ║15

Quiz Questions

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which is the natural number? (i) -1; (ii) 0; (iii) 1; (iv) -5
9 3 11 10
2. Which is the proper fraction? (i) ; (ii) ; (iii) ; (iv) .
8 8 2 7
3. Which one is not rational? (i) 1.5555.....; (ii) 1.5; (iii) 1.010010001....; (iv) 1/3.
4. Which is the irrational number? (i) 3 ; (ii) 4 ; (iii) 7; (iv) 3.
5. Which one is not a real number? (i) 2 , (ii) 2; (iii) 0; (iv) − 2
6. Absolute value of -8 is: (i) 8; (ii) -8; (iii) 0 (iv) None of the above.
7. Which is the only even prime? (i) 5; (ii) 4; (iii) 11; (iv) 2.
8. How many prime numbers lies between 1 & 50? (i) 15; (ii)20; (iii)18; (iv)16.
0 4
9. Which is undefined form? (i) 0 0 ; (ii) 2 ; (iii) 9 −2 ; (iv) (− 5) .
10. Which is a prime number? (i) 0; (ii) 1; (iii) 2; (iv) 4.

Which one of the following statement is true/false?

(i) Every real number is a rational number.
(ii) Every irrational number is a real number.
(iii) A real number is either rational or irrational.
(iv) Every natural number is integer.
(v) If x is rational and y is irrational then xy is irrational.
(vi) The product of two odd integers is an even integer.
(vii) Every real number is a complex number having imaginary part is zero
(viii) The sum of two rational numbers is a rational number.
(ix) There is no rational number whose square is 2.
(x) 2 is a complex number
(xi) Division by zero is sometimes allowed
(xii) Every complex number is a natural number.
(xiii) 1 is the smallest prime number
(xiv) 123 is a prime number
16║ Business Mathematics

Conceptual, Analytical & Numerical Questions

1. If f (x ) = ax 2 + bx + c and f (1) = 6, f (2) = 11and f (3) = 18, find the value of a, b and c.
Hence find f (− 1).
2. If f (x ) = 3x 2 − 6 x + 4 , for what values of x is 3 f (x) = f (3x)?
3. ⎧ −2 x+4, x≤1 , then find the value of
If g (x ) = ⎨ g (3), g (1), g (0), g (− 3). Consider the
⎩ x2+1, x >1

function y = f (x ) = x 2 + 2 .
a. Find the value of y when x is zero.
b. What is f (3)?
c. What values of x give y a value of 11?
d. Are there any values of x that give y a value of 1?
4. Storage cost of an item is given by the function S = g(C) = 0.05C + 2.50, where C is the
cost of the item. (i) Find the cost of storing an item that costs Tk. 12.
(ii) Find the cost of an item whose storage cost is Tk.3
5. The profit function for a firm is p(q) = −10q 2 + 36,000q − 45,000 , where q equals the
numbers of units sold and P equals annual profit in Taka.
a. What type of function is this?
b. What is the expected profit if 1,500 units are sold?

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