Big Ideas Math Algebra 2, 2014
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Big Ideas Math Algebra 2, 2014 View details
Mathematical Practices
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Exercise 1 Page 294

If the ratios of consecutive y-values are equal, then the data can be modeled by an exponential function. If the difference of consecutive y-values is constant, then the data can be modeled by a linear function.

Model: y=2^x
Explanation: See solution.
Value of y When x=10: 1024

Practice makes perfect

We want to write an appropriate model for the given data. Then we will use the model to find y when x=10. Let's do those things one at a time.

Writing the Model

If the ratios of consecutive y-values are equal, then the data can be modeled by an exponential function. If the difference of consecutive y-values is constant, then the data can be modeled by a linear function. Consider the given table.

x 0 1 2 3 4
y 1 2 4 8 16
Let's calculate the difference between consecutive y-values. 2-1&= 1, 4-2= 2, 8-4&=4, 16-8=8 We can see that the differences are not constant, so the data cannot be modeled by a linear function. Let's determine the ratios of the consecutive y-values. 2/1&= 2, 4/2= 2, [0.8em] 8/4&= 2, 16/8= 2 Each ratio is equal to 2, so the data can be modeled by an exponential function. y=ab^x To find the values of a and b, we will use two of the ordered pairs given in the table. For simplicity, we will use (0,1) and (1,2). Let's start by substituting 0 for x and 1 for y.
y=ab^x
1=ab^0
Solve for a
1=a(1)
1=a
a=1
Now that we know that a=1, we can partially write the equation. y=1b^x ⇔ y=b^x To find the value of b, we will substitute 1 for x and 2 for y in the above equation.
y=b^x
2=b^1
2=b
b=2
Now that we know that b=2, we can write the full equation that models the data in the given table. y=2^x

Finding y when x=10

Finally, we will find the value of y when x=10. To do so, we will substitute 10 for x in the obtained formula.
y=2^x
y=2^(10)
y=1024