Functions Modeling Change: A Preparation for Calculus, 5th Edition

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1118583191
ISBN 13: 978-1-11858-319-7

Chapter 4 - Exponential Functions - 4.2 Comparing Exponential and Linear Functions - Exercises and Problems for Section 4.2 - Exercises and Problems - Page 154: 16

Answer

$ f(x)=50\left(\sqrt[5]{\frac{2}{5}}\right)^x\approx 50\cdot\left(0.8326\right)^x $

Work Step by Step

We want to have $f(x)=a b^{x}$. The graph shows that the points $(0,50),(5,20)$ lie on the curve of $f(x)$. We must have $f(0)=a b^{0}=a= 50$ and so $f(x)=50 b^{x}$. But $f(5)=50 b^{5}= 20\implies b= 0.4^{1/5}=\sqrt[5]{\frac{2}{5}}\approx 0.8326 $ It follows that $$ f(x)=50\left(\sqrt[5]{\frac{2}{5}}\right)^x\approx 50\cdot\left(0.8326\right)^x $$
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