Question

The pressure P (in pounds per square foot), in a pipe varies over time. Ten times an hour, the pressure oscillates from a low of 40 to a high of 280 and then back to a low of 40. The pressure at time t = 0 is 40. Let the function P = f(t) denote the pressure in pipe at time t minutes. Find the formula for the function P=f(t)

Answer 1

can we use trig? it sounds like an upside down cosine function thats been shifted up

Answer 2

-120cos(x) +160

Answer 3

the oscillation is a clue to the "period" of the function

Answer 4

60/10 = every 6 minutes

Answer 5

if 6 minutes is the period, but 1 minutes is the normal period then we got:

P(t) = -120cos(t/6) + 160 maybe?

Answer 6

at t=3 we should have 280

-120(cos(1/2)) +160...its alittle off, but something to work with. just gotta determine the right value for the period.

Answer 7

-120(cos(pi/3)(t)) + 160....getting warmer?

Answer 8

im sure thats it:

P(t) = -120cos[(pi/3)*t] +160