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 155: 23

Answer

$f(x)=\frac{2^{29/6}}{5}((0.25)^{5/6})^x$

Work Step by Step

We want to have $f(x)=a b^x$. The graph shows that the points $(2.3,0.4),(3.5,0.10)$ lie on the curve of $f(x)$. We must have $f(2.3)=a b^{2.3}=0.40$ and $f(3.5)=a b^{3.5}=0.10$. This gives $$ \begin{aligned} \frac{a b^{3.5}}{a b^{2.3}} & =\frac{f(3.5)}{f(2.3)} \\ b^{1.2} & =\frac{0.1}{0.4} \\ b & =(0.25)^{1 / 1.2}=(0.25)^{5/6}\approx 0.31498 \end{aligned} $$ We determine $a$: $$ \begin{aligned} a b^{2.3}& =0.40\\ a & =\frac{0.40}{b^{2.3}} \\ a & =\frac{0.40}{((0.25)^{5/6})^{2.3}}\\ &=\frac{0.40}{(0.25)^{23/12}}\\ &=0.40(2^{23/6})\\ &=\frac{2^{29/6}}{5}\\ &\approx 5.70175 \end{aligned} $$ It follows that $$ f(x)=\frac{2^{29/6}}{5}((0.25)^{5/6})^x $$
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