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Representing Real-Life Situations Using

Exponential functions can model real-life situations like population growth, radioactive decay, and compound interest. Some key points: 1) Population growth can be modeled as y = y0(2)t/T, where y0 is the initial population and it doubles every T units of time. 2) Radioactive decay can be modeled as y = y0(1/2)t/T, where the half-life T is the time for the substance to half and y0 is the initial amount. 3) Compound interest for a principal P invested at rate r compounded annually is modeled as A = P(1 + r)t, where A is the amount after t years

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1K views7 pages

Representing Real-Life Situations Using

Exponential functions can model real-life situations like population growth, radioactive decay, and compound interest. Some key points: 1) Population growth can be modeled as y = y0(2)t/T, where y0 is the initial population and it doubles every T units of time. 2) Radioactive decay can be modeled as y = y0(1/2)t/T, where the half-life T is the time for the substance to half and y0 is the initial amount. 3) Compound interest for a principal P invested at rate r compounded annually is modeled as A = P(1 + r)t, where A is the amount after t years

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Pam G.
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Lesson 12: Representing Real-Life Situations Using

Exponential Functions

Definition: An exponential function with base b is a function of the form

f(x) = bx

or y = bx

(b > 0, b ≠ 1).

Example 1. Complete a table of values for x = –3, –2, –1, 0, 1, 2, and 3 for the

exponential functions y = (1/3)x

, y = 10x

, and y = (0.8)x

Solution.

x –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3

y = (1/3)x

27 9 3 1 1/3 1/9 1/27

y = 10x

1/1000 1/100 1/10 1 10 100 1000

y = (0.8)x

1.953125 1.5625 1.25 1 0.8 0.64 0.512

Example 2. If f(x) = 3x
, evaluate f(2), f(–2), f(1/2), f(0.4), and f().

Solution.

f(2) = 32

=9

f(–2) = 3–2

f(1/2) = 31/2 =

f(0.4) = 30.4 =32/5 =

Since  = 3.14159… is irrational, the rules for rational exponents are not
applicable.

We define 3

using rational numbers: f() = 3

can be approximated by 33.14. A better

approximation is 33.14159. Intuitively, one can obtain any level of accuracy for 3
by

considering sufficiently more decimal places of . Mathematically, it can be


proved

that these approximations approach a unique value, which we define to be 3

Definition. Let b be a positive number not equal to 1. A transformation of an

exponential function with base b is a function of the form

g(x) = ab

x – c + d,

where a, c, and d are real numbers.

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any form or by any means -

electronic or mechanical including photocopying – without written permission


from the DepEd Central Office. First Edition, 2016.

DEPED COPY

78

Some of the most common applications in real-life of exponential functions and


their

transformations are population growth, exponential decay, and compound


interest.

Example 3. At t = 0, there were initially 20 bacteria. Suppose that the bacteria

doubles every 100 hours. Give an exponential model for the bacteria as a function
of

t.
Solution.

Initially, at t = 0 Number of bacteria = 20

at t = 100 Number of bacteria = 20(2)

at t = 200 Number of bacteria = 20(2)2

at t = 300 Number of bacteria = 20(2)3

at t = 400 Number of bacteria = 20(2)4

An exponential model for this situation is y = 20(2)t/100

The half-life of a radioactive substance is the time it takes for half of the substance

to decay.

Example 4. Suppose that the half-life of a certain radioactive substance is 10 days

and there are 10g initially, determine the amount of substance remaining after 30

days, and give an exponential model for the amount of remaining substance.

Solution. We use the fact that the mass is halved every 10 days (from definition of

half-life).

Let t = time in days. Thus, we have:

Initially, at t= 0 Amount of Substance = 10g

at t=10 days Amount of Substance = 5g

at t=20 days Amount of Substance = 2.5g

at t=30 days Amount of Substance = 1.25g

An exponential model for this situation is y = 10(1/2)t/10

.
A starting amount of money (called the principal) can be invested at a certain

interest rate that is earned at the end of a given period of time (such as one year).
If

the interest rate is compounded, the interest earned at the end of the period is

Exponential Models and Population Growth

Suppose a quantity y doubles every T units of time. If y0 is the initial amount,

then the quantity y after t units of time is given by y = y0(2)t/T

Exponential Functions and Half-life

If the half-life of a substance is T units, and y0 is the amount of the substance

corresponding to t = 0, then the amount y of substance remaining after t units of

time is given by y = y0(1/2)t/T

All rights reserved. No part of this material may be reproduced or transmitted in


any form or by any means -

electronic or mechanical including photocopying – without written permission


from the DepEd Central Office. First Edition, 2016.

DEPED COPY

79

added to the principal, and this new amount will earn interest in the next period.
The

same process is repeated for each succeeding period: interest previously earned
will
also earn interest in the next period.

Example 5. Mrs. De la Cruz invested P100,000.00 in a company that offers 6%

interest compounded annually. Define an exponential model for this situation.


How

much will this investment be worth at the end of each year for the next five years?

Solution.

Initially, at t = 0 Investment = P100,000

at t = 1 Investment = P100,000(1.06) = P106,000

at t = 2 Investment = P106,000(1.06) = P112,360

at t = 3 Investment = P112,360(1.06)  P119,101.60

at t = 4 Investment = P119,101.60(1.06)  P126,247.70

at t = 5 Investment = P 26,247.70(1.06)  P133,822.56

An exponential model for this situation is y = 100,000(1.06)t

. The investment is worth

P133,822.56.

Compound Interest.

If a principal P is invested at an annual rate of r, compounded annually, then the

amount after t years is given by A = P(1 + r)t

Example 6. Referring to Example 5, is it possible for Mrs. De la Cruz to double her

money in 8 years? in 10 years?

Solution. Using the model y = 100,000(1.06)t


, substitute t = 8 and t = 10:

If t = 8, y = P100,000(1.06)8

 P159,384.81

If t = 10, y = P100,000(1.06)10 P179,084.77

Since her money still has not reached P200,000 after 10 years, then she has not

doubled her money during this time.

The Natural Exponential Function

While an exponential function may have various bases, a frequently used based is

the irrational number e, whose value is approximately 2.71828. The enrichment in

Lesson 27 will show how the number e arises from the concept of compound

interest. Because e is a commonly used based, the natural exponential function is

defined having e as the base.

Definition

The natural exponential function is the function f(x) = ex

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