All Questions
Tagged with applications algebra-precalculus
44
questions
73
votes
17
answers
174k
views
What is a real world application of polynomial factoring?
The wife and I are sitting here on a Saturday night doing some algebra homework. We're factoring polynomials and had the same thought at the same time: when will we use this?
I feel a bit silly ...
- 871
43
votes
18
answers
65k
views
What is an example of real application of cubic equations?
I didn't yet encounter to a case that need to be solved by cubic equations (degree three) !
May you give me some information about the branches of science or criterion deal with such nature ?
28
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Consider a man who travelled exactly 2 km in two hours. Is there a one-hour interval when he traveled exactly 1 km?
Question :
Consider a man who travelled exactly 2 km in two hours.
Is there a one-hour interval when he traveled exactly 1 km?
Can we make a mathematical argument?
I have written my attempt in an ...
- 3,227
27
votes
9
answers
148k
views
What is a simple example of a limit in the real world?
This morning, I read Wikipedia's informal definition of a limit:
Informally, a function f assigns an output $f(x)$ to every input $x$. The
function has a limit $L$ at an input $p$ if $f(x)$ is "...
- 3,426
11
votes
3
answers
471
views
Roots of a set of nonlinear equations $ax + yz = b_1; ay + xz = b_2; az + xy = b_3$
Let $a$ be a non-negative real number, $b_1, b_2, b_3$ be real numbers, and $x, y, z$ be variables. Is it possible to analytically find the root closest to origin $(0, 0, 0)$ of the set of nonlinear ...
- 283
8
votes
4
answers
251
views
Both solutions to a quadratic make sense -- looking for applications
I'm looking for reasonably real, non-abstract applications modeled by quadratic equations where both solutions make sense. I'd like them to be accessible to high school algebra students.
One I come ...
8
votes
2
answers
192
views
Imaginary $\cos^{-1}$ value significance?
When I was bored in AP Psych last year, I jokingly asked myself if there was a cosine inverse of $2$. Curious about it, I tried calculating it as follows:
$$
\begin{align*}
\cos (x) &= 2 \\
\sin (...
- 1,871
6
votes
2
answers
15k
views
What are functions used for?
When I say functions, I don't mean the trigonometric functions like $\sin$, $\cos$, and $\tan$, I mean defined functions like $f(x) = 2x + 4$. Why is $f(x)$ used and why isn't a single variable ...
- 4,287
5
votes
7
answers
78k
views
Application of Composition of Functions: Real world examples?
Do you know of a real world example where you'd combine two functions into a composite function? I see this topic in Algebra 2 textbooks, but rarely see actual applications of it. It's usually plug ...
- 4,771
5
votes
3
answers
410
views
Golden ratio rectangles
I'm designing a layout and I would like to use four golden ratio rectangles. The total width of the layout is 960px. How do I find the height (x)? Below is a diagram of the layout.
4
votes
3
answers
12k
views
Real world situation with System of Equation with 3 variables?
Where do you run into a real world situation involving 3 variables and 3 equations? Can someone think of a specific example from business, etc? I recall taking an operations research course that ...
- 4,771
4
votes
2
answers
28k
views
Compound interest formula and continuously compounded interest formula derivation
My textbook gives the formula for compound interest as:
$A\left( t\right) =P\left( 1+\dfrac {r}{n}\right) ^{nt}$
Where:
P = The principal, r=the annual rate of interest, n= the frequency of ...
- 7,187
3
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Real world example of an equation with no solution? [closed]
I have just started reading basic algebra and I have this curiosity that came up when solving basic linear equations. Some equations have no solutions. Are there any real world example of equations ...
3
votes
3
answers
190
views
Real-world examples of the quadratic equation
Does a quadratic equation like $x^2 - ax + y = 0$ describe anything in the real world? (I want to know, if there is something in the same way that $x^2$ is describing a square.)
- 49
3
votes
2
answers
92
views
Can we find an inverse of a model for deadtime?
This is kind of a real-world question, in that it comes from the work I do, but I'm just pursuing it for my own edification.
When a radiation detector detects an event, it is insensitive to further ...
- 211