(Access to Internet required for part (c).) Doctors

Chapter 3, Problem 3.3.14

(choose chapter or problem)

(Access to Internet required for part (c).) Doctors measure two kinds of cholesterol in the body: low-density lipoproteins, LDL, called bad cholesterol and high-density lipoproteins, HDL, called good cholesterol because it helps to remove the bad cholesterol from the body. Rather than just measuring the total cholesterol, TC, many doctors use the ratio of TC/HDL to help control heart disease. General guidelines have suggested that men should have TC/HDL of 4.5 or below, and women should have TC/HDL of 4 or below. On the graphs you construct, place HDL on the horizontal and TC on the vertical axis. a. Construct an equation for men that describes TC as a function of HDL assuming that the ratio of the two numbers is at the recommended maximum for men. Graph the function, using HDL values up to 75. Label on the graph higher-risk and lower-risk areas for heart disease for men. b. Construct a similar equation for women that describes TC as a function of HDL assuming that the ratio of the two numbers is at the recommended maximum for women. Graph the function, using HDL values up to 75. Label on the graph higher-risk and lower-risk areas for heart disease for women. c. Use the Internet to find the most current cholesterol guidelines.