Exponential decay

If a function C(t) decreases continually at a rate r>0 then C(t) has the form

C(t) = p of 0 e raise to -rt

In this case, the quantity C(t) is said to exhibit exponential decay, and r is the decay rate.

Half – life (rate of decay) of a substance is defined to be amount of time it takes for the radioactivity of q
substances to be reduced to half its original value.

Example:

The amount C(t) in grams of carbon – 14 present in a certain substance after t-years is given by:

C(t) = 20e raise to -0.001216t

a. What is initial amount?

- 20 grams
b. Is the function growing or decay?
- decay
c. How much is left after 10,400 years?
- C(t) = 20 e raise to 0.001216 x 10, 400
= 5.65 grams
d. Using the graphing calculator estimate the half life of carbon – 14.
- 10 = 20e raise to 0.001216t
Desmos
- Y sub 1 = 10
Y sub 2 = 20e raise to 0.00126t
T approximate 5,700.224

WAYS TO MODEL EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Identifying an exponential relationship from Data

Exponential – constant change in x and constant ratio in y

Example 1:
X F(x)
-1 2/3
0 2
1 6
2 18
3 54

Standard form: y = 2x3 raise to x

2. Exponential regression in desmos
Steps:
1. In desmos, press the plus sign at the upper left corner
2. Press the icon to add a table (or copy and paste the table from spreadsheet)
3. Enter the data for x and y in the table.
4.