Lesson 2

Further Calculus
 Modified Exponential Growth and Decay
Exponential Growth and Decay refers to quantities that either increases or decreases –
respectively – at an exponential – not constant – rate. The name Exponential Growth
comes from the fact that all exponential equations will have an unknown in the power.
y = Aekx is the equation used for exponential growth and
y = Ae-kx is the equation used for exponential decay.
To solve exponential equations, differentiation and loge is used
depending on the values you are required to find. Differentiation
is used to find and prove the formulas necessary for solving
equations. Manipulation of the formula is then undertaken to
isolate the required unknown and loge – as well as basic
arithmetic calculations – are used to solve the equation.
 Examples
Example 1: The pressure of the atmosphere, measure as P kilopascals (kPa), decreases
with the altitude h km above sea level approximately according to P = 101 0.2h. Required
to find the rate at which the air pressure falls with respect to height above sea level when
P = 20.
P = 1010.2h
Differentiate the formula: = –0.2 x 1010.2h
= 0.2P
When P = 20: = –0.2 x 20 = –4
The pressure falls at a rate of 4 kPa/km when P = 20
 Examples
Example 1: Carbon14 has a half-life of 5730 years. If I start with 500g of Carbon14,
how much is left after 20,000 years? A = initial amount, t = time, k = amount after t.
Formula: A = A0-kt
500 500
Substitute in values: 250 = 500-k(5730)
= -5730k
Cancels out
Take the natural log of both sides: ln() = ln -5730k
ln() = –5730k
÷ −5730 ÷ −5730
k = 0.0001209 (4 significant figures)
 Newton’s Law of Cooling
Newton’s Law of Cooling states that the rate of cooling of an object is directly
proportional to the difference between the temperature of the object and the
temperature of the surrounding environment.
The formula: = k(T – M) is used to solve problems of this type, where T is
temperature of the object, t is time, and M is the constant temperature of the
environment.
 Example
The initial temperature of an object is 37.8oC. If it T2 = 32.2oC when t2 = 10 mins
–15.6 –15.6
took 10 minutes for the object to cool off to 32.2oC in
32.2 = 22.2k(10) + 15.6
a room where it is 15.6oC, how many more minutes 22.2 22.2
will it take for the object to be at 26.7oC? = k(10)
T1 = 37.8oC when t1 = 0 mins Take log natural of both sides:÷
ln() =10
÷
10k 10

T2 = 32.2oC when t2 = 10 mins k = 0.02907 (4 significant figures)

26.7 = 22.2-0.02906895935(t) + 15.6–15.6

22.2
0.5 22.2
= -0.02906895935(t)
Formula: To = Ckt + Ts
÷
Take the natural log both sides: ln(0.5) =– ÷
T1 = 37.8oC when t1 = 0 mins 0.02906895935t
{k x 0 = 0, 0 = 1}
37.8 = Ck(0) + 15.6
–15.6 –15.6 t = 23.8mins (2 d.p.)
C = 22.2oC t3 – t2 = 23.8 – 10 = 13.8 mins
Diagrams:
Reference List
(N.D.) Graphing exponential functions. Available at:
https://www.varsitytutors.com/hotmath/hotmath_help/topics/graphing-exponential-functions (Accessed: 17 August
2023).

Explanation of concepts:
Fitzpatrick, J.B. and Aus, B. (2019) New senior mathematics extension 1 for Years 11 & 12. (pg. 155 & 163)
Melbourne, Victoria.: Pearson Australia Group.

Examples:
Fitzpatrick, J.B. and Aus, B. (2019) New senior mathematics extension 1 for Years 11 & 12. (Example 6b)
Melbourne, Victoria.: Pearson Australia Group.
Mr Costa
Edgar (2020) Newton’s law of cooling: Differential Equations, WeTheStudy. Available at:
https://wethestudy.com/mathematics/newtons-law-of-cooling-differential-equations/(Accessed: 18 August 2023).