Subject Code: MATH 5 Differential Calculus

Module Code: 2.0 Review of Functions and Introduction to Limits

Lesson Code: 2.3.3 Functions as Models (Session 3 of 3)
Time Limit: 30 minutes

ATA
Components Tasks TAa b

Target After completing this module, you will have been able to: 1
● Write an exponential function model of a given situation.
● Apply properties of logarithms to solve exponential equations
of the form 𝑓(𝑡) = 𝑎 ⋅ 𝑏!" .

Hook We learned from our Algebra course about exponential functions 1

like investment growth, growth of population, growth of bacteria in
a culture, radioactive decay, or even the half-life of an atom in our
Chemistry subject. For growth, it is about increase while for decay
it is a decrease. Would these things help us express an exponential
equation? We will know the answers to this question as we go along
with the discussion on today’s lesson.

Ignite Let us consider a problem with only two data points. 18

Example 1
A census for two years as reported by the Philippine Statistics
Authority is shown in the table below.

Philippines Population
Census Year
(in millions)

2010 93.14

2019 108.27

Table 1
(Philippine Statistics Authority, 2014).

Suppose the population of the Philippines grows exponentially, write

an equation that describes the situation.

Solution:
From Table 1 above, we can assume that the survey started in 2010.
This means that it is year 0 with an initial population of 93.14
million. Write this as an ordered pair (0, 93.14).
Next, is the survey in 2019 which means at year 9 the population
grows to 108.27 million. The corresponding ordered pair is (9,
108.27).
Use the simplest form of exponential function 𝑦 = 𝑎 ⋅ 𝑏 # and plug
in the first ordered pair. Thus,
𝑦 = 𝑎 ⋅ 𝑏 # ; (0, 93.14)
⇒ 93.14 = 𝑎 ⋅ 𝑏0 ⇒ 𝑎 = 93.14
Substitute the value of a and the other ordered pair.
𝑦 = 𝑎 ⋅ 𝑏 # ; (9, 108.27), 𝑎 = 93.14

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 ⇒ 108.27 = (93.14)/𝑏9 0
108.27 9 108.27
⇒ 𝑏9 = ⇒𝑏=1 ≈ 1.02
93.14 93.14
Hence, the function is 𝑦 = 93.14(1.02)# .

Example 2
A man wants to invest a certain amount of money. He would like
the value of his investment to double in 10 years. Write an equation
that can be used to find r, the annual rate of interest required.
Assume interest is compounded annually. What will be his money
after 12 years if he invests ₱20 000?

Solution:
From the previous lesson in our Algebra course, we learned that the
formula for compound interest is
$ %"
𝐴 = 𝑃 51 + % 7
where A is the accumulated amount, P is the principal or
capital, r is the rate of interest per annum, s is the number of
conversion each year, and t is the time in years.
Since the investment is doubled in 10 years, we can use any amount
for the capital or principal. Thus, we can write
$ 1(10)
2 = 1 51 + 17 ⇒ 2 = (1 + 𝑟)10
Therefore, the equation is
(1 + 𝑟)10 = 2.
Solving for r we get,
10 10
1 + 𝑟 = √2 ⇒ 𝑟 = √2 − 1 ⇒ 𝑟 ≈ 0.0718 = 7.18%
$ %"
Using 𝐴 = 𝑃 51 + 7 ,
%
0.0718 1(12)
𝐴 = 20000 51 + 1 7 = 20000(1.0718)12 = 45961.59
Hence, the man will receive around ₱45 962 after 12 years.

Example 3
In 2012, 50 tarsiers were introduced into a wildlife center in Bohol,
Philippines. By 2018, the population grows to 150 tarsiers. If the
population grows exponentially, write a function representing the
situation.
Solution:
Let x be the number of years after 2012, 𝑇(𝑥) be the population after
x years.
Using (0, 50),
𝑦 = 𝑎 ⋅ 𝑏 # ⇒ 50 = 𝑎 ⋅ 𝑏0 ⇒ 𝑎 = 50
Find the value of b using the other point, (6, 150) by substituting to
the formula. Thus, the equation becomes
150 = 50𝑏6 .
Solving for b we have,
150 6 150
𝑏6 = 50
⇒ 𝑏 = = 50 ≈ 1.2009
Hence, the function is 𝑇(𝑥) = 50(1.2009)# .
The graph of our model is shown below.

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 The graph tells us that at year 0, the initial population of tarsiers is
50 and it grows to 150 tarsiers after 6 years. The function’s domain
is [0, +∞) and the range of the function is [50, +∞).

Example 3
A radioactive substance contained in a bone is 160 mg but after some
time, it reduces to 90 mg. If the half-life of this radioactive substance
is 5560 years, write an equation that models this situation. How old
is the bone?

Solution:
Using exponential decay formula, we write the equation that models
the situation which is of the form
!
𝐴 = 𝐴0 2)"
Substitute the given information to the formula above to express the
model function.
!
90 = 160(2))5560
Simplify the expression using logarithms.
!
𝑙𝑜𝑔 90 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 160(2))5560
"
𝑙𝑜𝑔 90 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 160 − 5560 𝑙𝑜𝑔 2
"
𝑙𝑜𝑔 2 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔 160 − 𝑙𝑜𝑔 90
5560
" *+, 160 ) *+, 90
5560
= *+, 2
5560(*+, 160 ) *+, 90)
𝑡= *+, 2
𝑡 = 4615.2170
Therefore, the bone is about 4615 years old.

Navigate We will now check your understanding regarding the presentation of 4

the concept above by answering some exercises. You may use a
scientific calculator.
1. In a laboratory, a bacteria population quadruples every hour.
The population was first measured to be 80 bacteria. Write

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 an equation that can be used to find B, the bacteria
population after t hours.
2. The population of a certain animal species decreases at a rate
of 3.5% per year. You have counted 80 of the animals in the
habitat you are studying. Write a function that models the
change in the animal population.
(Charles, et al, 2015)

Knot Exponential function is of the form 2

𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 ⋅ 𝑏 # ; 𝑎 ≠ 0, 𝑏 ∈ ℜ. 𝑏 ≠ 1.
● If 𝑏 > 1, the function is increasing.
● If 0 < 𝑏 < 1, the function is decreasing.

Steps in writing the exponential function model, given two data

points.
1. Use both ordered pairs and substitute in the equation 𝑦 = 𝑎 ⋅
𝑏 # . Determine the values of a and b.
2. Plug in values of a and b found in step 1 to the equation 𝑦 =
𝑎 ⋅ 𝑏 # to write the exponential function model.

Quiz
Suppose in 2009, there were about 8 million Internet users in the 4
Philippines. The number of Internet users grew to about 44 million
in 2016.
a. Assuming that t is the number of years after 2009, write an
equation of the form 𝑓(𝑡) = 𝑎𝑒 !" that represents the
expected growth of the number of Internet users in the
Philippines.
b. In what year were there 27 million Internet users?
c. Using your equation from part (a), solve for t.
d. From your equation in part (c), how can it be used to verify
your answer to part (b). Explain your reasoning.
a
Time Allocation, in minutes, set by the teacher
b
Actual Time Allocation, in minutes, spent by the student (for information purposes only)

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References/Internet Materials:

Charles, R., et.al. (2015). Algebra 2 (Common Core). Boston, Massachusetts: Pearson Education, Inc.

Hall, B.C & Fabricant, M. (1993). Algebra 2 with Trigonometry. Needham, Massachusetts: Prentice
Hall

Sobel, M. & Lerner, N. (1995). Algebra & Trigonometry. (5th ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice
Hall

Brilliant Math. (n.d.). Exponential Functions - Problem Solving. Retrieved from

https://brilliant.org/wiki/exponential-functions/

Cepeda, M. (2018 December 28). Philippine population to hit 109 million by end-2019 – PopCom.
Retrieved from
https://rappler.com/nation/philippine-population-2019

Exponential Functions as Mathematical Models. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.math.uh.edu/~zhenwang/Math%201314/Courses/Class%20Notes/Classnote%20Comp

Lumen College Algebra. (n.d.). Build an exponential model from data. Retrieved from
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/ivytech-collegealgebra/chapter/build-an-exponential-mod

Prepared by: Joseph L. Guadayo Reviewed by: Frederick F. Faz

Position: Special Science Teacher IV Position: Special Science Teacher II
Campus: PSHS-EVC Campus: PSHS-MRC

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