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Marlon Delgado Iv-Sapphire: Word Problems: Exponential Decay
Marlon Delgado Iv-Sapphire: Word Problems: Exponential Decay
IV-SAPPHIRE
In the formula,
has passed. represents the initial amount of medicine. The constant arepresents the rate of decay (and is always a number between 0 and 1), and t stands for time, which is in hours in this problem. Now, we need to substitute known values for the variables in the formula. The problem asks how long it will take the initial dose to become dangerously low. Therefore, is 52 in this problem. is the initial dose which is 250 mg. The rate of decay is which will be converted to the decimal 0.95. Time t is what we are trying to find. So we have the following:
Finally we must solve the equation for time t. To do so, first divide both sides by 250 to simplify the equation.
Next we take the log of each side of the equation and bring down the exponent, t. For a reminder on taking the log of both sides as well as the properties of logs, please examine this companion lesson.
Now, to solve for time t, divide both sides by (log 0.95) to obtain the following:
Now we use a calculator to find the value for t hours Checking our answer shows
A(t) = 250(0.95)30.61 = 52.00673226 In fact, t actually represents less than the number of hours required for the amount of drug left to go below 52 mg. This is because there is still slightly more than 52 mg left at time t = 30.61 hours, our rounded off answer. The amount of the drug left will go below 52 mg sometime AFTER 30.61 hours has passed.
First, we will need to use the exponential growth formula for compounding interest:
In the formula, A represents the amount of money that will be in the account when $1200 is doubled. P represents principal - the amount of money currently being invested. The letter r stands for rate of interest, and t stands time in years. In this formula e represents the irrational number 2.71828.. Now, we need to substitute known values for the variables in the formula. The problem asks how long it will take $1200 to double. Therefore, A is 2400 (the value of 1200 doubled) in this problem. P is the money to be invested, so P is 1200. The rate, r, is which is or 0.105 as a decimal. Time t is what we are trying to find. So we have the following:
Finally we must solve the equation for time t. To do so, first divide both sides by 1200 to simplify the equation.
Now, we take the natural log of each side of the equation. For a reminder on taking the log of both sides as well as the properties of logs, please examine the material in this companion lesson.
, we have:
Since the
Use a calculator to find the value for the ln 2 and then divide each side by 0.105 to obtain the final answer:
Therefore, we have determined that if $1200 is invested at continuously, it will take 6.6 years for the money to double.
compounded
Observe how the graphs of exponential functions change based upon the values of a and b:
Example:
is between 0 and
is greater than
1, the graph will be decreasing (decaying). 1, the graph will be increasing (growing).
For this example, each time x is increased by For this example, each time x is increased 1, y decreases to one half of its previous by 1, y increases by a factor of 2. value.
Exponential Decay.
Exponential Growth.