Decay Functions
Problem 1 - Swinging Pendulum
The following table represents the swings of a pendulum. Complete
the following information using your graphing calculator:
1.) Find the decay ratio in the above table. _______________________________________
2.) Use the graphing calculator to enter the data into two lists.
3.) Assuming that this is an exponential function, find the equation of
best fit.
__________________________________________________________
4.) What is the domain of this function? ___________________________________________
5.) What is the range of this function? _____________________________________________
6.) What is the amplitude of the swing after 200 swings? ______________________________
7.) How many swings would it take to reach an amplitude of 10.2? ______________________
8.) Sketch the graph of this function.
Problem 2 - Cooling Function
Record the changing temperatures of a hot cup of coffee over
the following time intervals:
1.) Find the decay ratio. __________________________________________________________________
2.) Use the graphing calculator to enter the data into the two lists.
3.) Assuming that this is an exponential function, find the equation of
best fit.
______________________________________________________________
4.) What is the domain of this function? _____________________________________________________
5.) What is the range of this function? _______________________________________________________
6.) What would the temperature of the coffee be after 30 minutes? ________________________________
7.) How long would it take for the coffee to reach 37 degrees? ___________________________________
Submitted by Debbie Lancaster from Lakeside High School in Evans, GA.