[KEY] M114 Hw16 – Completion (no Graded)

1. If points (2, 36) and (4, 20.25) exist on the graph of the exponential function 𝑓(𝑡), find
the equation for 𝑓(𝑡). Hint: Use the format 𝑓(𝑡) = 𝑃(𝑟)𝑡 . Use what you know to solve for 𝑃, etc.

Using 𝑓(𝑡) = 𝑃(𝑟)𝑡 , we are given 𝑓(2) = 36 and 𝑓(4) = 20.25.

36 20.25
This means 36 = 𝑃(𝑟)2 and 20.25 = 𝑃(𝑟)4. Solving for 𝑃, we get =𝑃= .
𝑟2 𝑟4
Combining and solving for 𝑟, we use cross-multiplication to get 36𝑟 = 20.25𝑟 2. 4
20.25
Dividing by 𝑟 2 and 36 we have 𝑟 2 = . Take square root: 𝑟 = 0.75.
36

36 36
Solve for 𝑃 using 𝑃 = 𝑟2 = 0.752 = 64.

Combined, 𝑓(𝑡) = 64(0.75)𝑡 .

2. Consider the following table:

𝑥 0 1 2 3 4
𝑔(𝑥) 7.8 7.176 6.602 6.074 5.588

2a. Does 𝑔(𝑥) have linear or exponential behavior? How do you know?

The difference between 𝑔(𝑥) and 𝑔(𝑥 + 1) is inconsistent. However, as we confirm

7.176
below, each subsequent value of 𝑔(𝑥) is = 0.92 times the previous value.
7.8

2b. What is an equation for 𝑔(𝑥)?

𝑔(𝑥+1) 7.176
Use 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑃(𝑟)𝑥 where 𝑃 = 7.8, the principal value. Next, 𝑟 = = = 0.92.
𝑔(𝑥) 7.8
Combined, we get 𝑔(𝑥) = 7.8(0.92)𝑥 .

2c. What is the 1-unit decay rate for 𝑔(𝑥)? 0.92 or 92%

2d. What is the 1-unit percent change for 𝑔(𝑥)? −8%

3. The population of Sillyants starts at 5,120 but halves every week. Find the function
𝐴(𝑤) for the number of ants remaining after 𝑤 weeks.
1 𝑤
𝐴(𝑤) = 5120 (2) which is the same as 𝐴(𝑤) = 5120(0.5)𝑤 .

3b. What is the percent change in the Sillyant population from the initial 5,120 to the
population remaining after the 4th week?

Population at week 4 is 𝐴(4) = 5120(0.5)4 = 320 Sillyants.

new − old 𝐴(4) − 𝐴(0) 320 − 5120
Percent change = = = = −0.9375 = −93.75%
old 𝐴(0) 5120