SOLUTION: Can someone please help? I’m completely confused on how to solve the equation:
Find the exponential function that passes through the points.
x: 1, 2, 3, 4
h(x): 40, 16,
Algebra.Com
Question 1138238: Can someone please help? I’m completely confused on how to solve the equation:
Find the exponential function that passes through the points.
x: 1, 2, 3, 4
h(x): 40, 16, 6.4, 2.56
Answer by Theo(13342) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
here's what i get.
general form for exponential function is y = ab^x.
when x = 1, you get ab^1 = 40
when x = 2, you get ab^2 = 16
when x = 3, you get ab^3 = 6.4
when x = 4, you get ab^4 = 2.56
if you take ab^2 and divide it by ab^1, you get .4
if you take ab^3 and divide it by ab^2, you get .4
if you take ab^4 and divide it by ab^3, you get .4
take a look at any one of these and you'll see that a drops out of the equation each time.
for example:
ab^4 / ab^3 = 2.56 / 6.4 = .4
this results in ab^4 / ab^3 = .4
the a in the numerator and the a in the denominator cancel out and you are left with b^4 / b^3 = .4
since b^4 / b^3 is equal to b^(4-3), you are left with b = .4
therefore, your equations become:
a * .4^1 = 40
a * .4^2 = 16
a * .4^3 = 6.4
a * .4^4 = 2.56
simplify to get:
a * .4 = 40 which means a = 100.
a * .4^2 = 16 becomes a * .16 = 16 which means a = 100
go down the line and a will be 100 each time.
your exponential equation in the form of ab^x becomes 100 * .4^x.
you can graph this function as shown below.
the graph shows that the solution is correct.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Can someone please help explain how to correctly solve this:
find the equation of an... (answered by josgarithmetic,math_helper)
HELP! Find the equation of the exponential function that passes through the points (2,5)... (answered by MathLover1)
I am completely confused on this problem! Someone please help me to solve this step by... (answered by algebrahouse.com)
Can someone help me solve the exponential equation, please?
9^8x =... (answered by Alan3354)
Im really sorry its late but i really need help. On my homework im really confused about... (answered by jim_thompson5910)
Could someone please explain and give an example on how to solve an exponential equation... (answered by stanbon)
Hi there, Could you please help me solve the following Exponential functions question?
I (answered by vleith)
Could someone please help me write an equation to describe the exponential function as... (answered by Alan3354)
I completely confused on how to solve the following and would very much appreciate any... (answered by MathLover1)