dude:

Butter is taken out of the fridge and left to warm up. The temperature of the butter, T (in Celsius degrees), after m minutes is given by the equation T=c-k*1.2^{-m}. The initial temperature of the butter is 5º, and after 5 minutes its temperature has increased to 15º, as shown on the graph a) Find the values of k and c

1 year ago
dude:

1 year ago
Allison:

Yeaa...nope. @Vocaloid

1 year ago
sillybilly123:

$$T(m) = c- k \cdot 1.2^{-m}$$ $$T(0) = 5 \implies c = k + 5$$ $$T(5) = 15 \implies c - k ~ 1.2^{-5} = 5$$ solve from there

1 year ago
sillybilly123:

$$T(5) = c - k ~1.2^{-15} = 15$$

1 year ago
sillybilly123:

oh balls :( you get the picture. just plug in the numbers and solve :)

1 year ago
dude:

For T(5), I got $c=15+\frac{1}{2.48832}k$

1 year ago
dude:

So then I would do $k+5=15+\frac{1}{2.48832}k?$

1 year ago
Vocaloid:

the key is to write both equations and solve by elimination 5 = c - k(1.2)^(0) 15 = c - k(1.2)^(-5) you can subtract these two equations to eliminate c 10 = c - k(1.2)^(-5) - [c - k(1.2)^(0)] after you eliminate c you should be able to solve for k, then back-substitute to get c

1 year ago
Vocaloid:

ok I got it now 10 = c - k(1.2)^(-5) - [c - k(1.2)^(0)] 10 = -k(1.2)^(-5) + k k is about 16.719, then you can select one of the initial points, plug in and solve for c

1 year ago
dude:

$5=c-16.719*1.2^{-0}\\ c=21.719$

1 year ago
Vocaloid:

good just to be on the safe side I would double-check those k and c values by plugging them back into the points to see if you still get 5 and 15 ;;

1 year ago
dude:

$5=21.719-16.719*1.2^{0}\\ 5=5$

1 year ago
dude:

Thank you Vocaloid :P

1 year ago
sillybilly123:

So: here, Completing the Square is a real timesaver. Not too shabby  😀

1 year ago