College Algebra (11th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321671791
ISBN 13: 978-0-32167-179-0

Chapter 4 - Section 4.5 - Exponential and Logarithmic Equations - 4.5 Exercises - Page 447: 83

Answer

$t=-\dfrac{\log\dfrac{T-T_0}{T_1-T_0}}{k}$

Work Step by Step

$\bf{\text{Solution Outline:}}$ To solve the given equation, $ T=T_0+(T_1-T_0)10^{-kt} ,$ for $ t ,$ use the properties of equality to isolate the base that uses the needed variable. Then take the logarithm of both sides. Use the properties of logarithms and of equality to isolate the needed variable. $\bf{\text{Solution Details:}}$ Using the properties of equality to isolate the base that uses $ t ,$ the equation above is equivalent to \begin{array}{l}\require{cancel} T-T_0=(T_1-T_0)10^{-kt} \\\\ \dfrac{T-T_0}{(T_1-T_0)}=\dfrac{(T_1-T_0)10^{-kt}}{(T_1-T_0)} \\\\ \dfrac{T-T_0}{T_1-T_0}=10^{-kt} \\\\ 10^{-kt}=\dfrac{T-T_0}{T_1-T_0} .\end{array} Taking the logarithm of both sides, the equation above is equivalent to \begin{array}{l}\require{cancel} \log10^{-kt}=\log\dfrac{T-T_0}{T_1-T_0} .\end{array} Using the Power Rule of Logarithms, which is given by $\log_b x^y=y\log_bx,$ the expression above is equivalent \begin{array}{l}\require{cancel} -kt\log10=\log\dfrac{T-T_0}{T_1-T_0} .\end{array} Since $\log 10=1$ the equation above is equivalent to \begin{array}{l}\require{cancel} -kt(1)=\log\dfrac{T-T_0}{T_1-T_0} \\\\ -kt=\log\dfrac{T-T_0}{T_1-T_0} \\\\ \dfrac{-kt}{-k}=\dfrac{\log\dfrac{T-T_0}{T_1-T_0}}{-k} \\\\ t=-\dfrac{\log\dfrac{T-T_0}{T_1-T_0}}{k} .\end{array}
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