Real Life Problems Involving

Piecewise Functions
Prepared by: Marilyn O. Abas
SHS Gen. Math Teacher
Problem 1

Suppose due to the recent inflation rate

hike, the monthly sales of the gasoline
retailers in Philippines dramatically declined.
In order to address the situation, major
gasoline manufacturers devised a new
pricing scheme for the Philippine market so
that it may be able to continue to serve its
customers better.
 The table shows the new gasoline pricing
scheme of the manufacturers:

Quantity (in liters) Price (in Peso)

0 – 5,000 46.40/liter

Over 5,000 – 10,000 46.40/liter less 5% of the excess over 5,000 liters

Over 10,000 – 15,000 46.50/liter less 250 php and 10% of the excess over 10,000 liters

Over 15,000 – 20,000 46.50/liter less 750 php and 15% of the excess over 15,000 liters

Over 20,000 – 25,000 46.50/liter less 1,500 php and 20% of the excess over 20,000 liters

Over 25,000 46.50/liter less 2,500 php and 25% of the excess over 25,000 liters
Questions/Tasks:

Gasoline retailers will be charged accordingly based on

the schemes provided. According to the manufacturers,
this pricing scheme will enable the gasoline retailers to
have a stable profit despite the changes of oil price due
to inflation.

 A. Construct a piecewise function G(x) that gives the

total amount of gasoline based on the
manufacturers’ pricing scheme.
Answer:
Questions/Tasks:

B. Solve the following:

G(5,000),
G(17,500),
G(25,000),
and G(75,000).
 SOLUTIONS:

G(5,000) = 46.40(5,000) = 232,000 php

G(17,500) = 46.40(17,500) – 750 -0.15(17,500 – 15,000)
= 810,875 php
G(25,000) = 46.40(25,000) – 1,500 -0.20(25,000 – 20,000)
= 1,157,500 php
G(75,000) = 46.40(75,000) – 2,500 – 0.25(75,000 – 25,000)
= 3,465,000 php
Questions/Tasks:

C. Suppose the average of retail price of

gasoline to motorists is 48 php per liter, how
much would a gasoline retailer earn for
selling 50,000 liters bought at the price
which has the most discount?
 Solution:

Selling 50,000 liters of gasoline at the cheapest price

according to the scheme is
G(50,000) = 46.40(50,000) – 2,500 – 0.25(50,000 – 25,000)
= 2,311,250 php
Thus, if the average retail price of gasoline is 48, then a
retailer will earn [ 50,000(48)] – 2,311,250 = 88,750 php.
Questions/Tasks:

D. A one time payment of 1,111,300 php is

given by the retailer to the manufacturer,
how many liters did the retailer purchase?
Solution:

1,111,300 = 46.40x – 1,500 – 0.20(x-20,000)

x = 24,000 liters