SOLUTION: The "learning curve" describes the rate at which a person learns certain tasks. If a person sets a goal of typing N words per minute (wpm), the length of time t (in days) to achiev

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Question 469773: The "learning curve" describes the rate at which a person learns certain tasks. If a person sets a goal of typing N words per minute (wpm), the length of time t (in days) to achieve this goal is given by the following formula.
t=-62.5ln(1-N/80)
(a) According to this formula, what is the maximum number of words per minute?

(b) Solve for N.
I am trying to remedy this question to no end.Can someone please help me? thanks!

Found 2 solutions by ccs2011, josmiceli:
Answer by ccs2011(207) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
a) max number of words is 80
domain of ln(x) is x>0
1-(N/80) > 0
1 > N/80
80 > N
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b) Use algebra to solve for N
t=-62.5ln%281-%28N%2F80%29%29
Divide by -62.5 on both sides
%28-t%29%2F62.5+=+ln+%281-%28N%2F80%29%29
Rewrite in exponential form
e%5E%28-t%2F62.5%29+=+1+-%28N%2F80%29
Add N/80 to both sides
e%5E%28-t%2F62.5%29+%2B+%28N%2F80%29+=+1
Subtract e^(-t/62.5) to both sides
N%2F80+=+1+-+e%5E%28-t%2F62.5%29
Multiply by 80 on both sides
N+=+80%281+-+e%5E%28-t%2F62.5%29%29

Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The answer to (a) hinges on the fact that +log%28-n%29+
is impossible. There is no exponent with a positive base
that can give you a negative number.
Therefore, +1+-+N%2F80+ cannot be negative.
This expression becomes negative when +N+%3E+80+,
so 80 words per minutes is the maximum possible.
-----------------
(b)
+t+=+-62.5%2Aln%281+-+N%2F80%29+
Note here that +ln%28+1+-+N%2F80+%29+ MUST be negative in
order that t come out positive, since (-)x(-) = (+)
A log can certainly be negative, and it will give you a
result that is less than 1, but never a negative result
as I just stated.
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Divide both sides by +-62.5+
+ln%281+-+N%2F80%29+=+-t%2F62.5+
I can rewrite this as:
+e%5E%28-t%2F62.5%29+=+1+-+N%2F80+
+-N%2F80+=+e%5E%28-t%2F62.5%29+-+1+
Multiply both sides by +-80+
+N+=+80%2A%281+-+e%5E%28-t%2F62.5%29%29+