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: 20

Answer

$ f(x)=160\cdot\left(\left(1/2\right)^{1 / 40}\right)^x $

Work Step by Step

We want to have $f(x)=a b^{x}$. The graph shows that the points $(40,80),(120,20)$ lie on the curve of $f(x)$. We must have $f(40)=a b^{40}= 80$ and $f(120)=a b^{120}= 20$. This gives $$ \begin{aligned} \frac{a b^{120}}{a b^{40}} & =\frac{f(120)}{f(40)} \\ b^{80} & =\frac{20}{80} \\ b & =\left(1/4\right)^{1 / 80}= =\left(1/2\right)^{1 / 40} = 0.9828 \end{aligned} $$ We determine $a$: $$ \begin{aligned} ab^{40}& =80\\ a\left(\left(1/2\right)^{1 / 40}\right)^{40}&=80\\ a\cdot \frac{1}{2} &= 80 \\ a & =160 \end{aligned} $$ It follows that $$ f(x)=160\cdot\left(\left(1/2\right)^{1 / 40}\right)^x$$
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