Unit #1 - Transformation of Functions, Exponentials and Logarithms

Some problems and solutions selected or adapted from Hughes-Hallett Calculus.

Note: This unit, being review of pre-calculus has substantially more practice problems than later units. Don’t be
intimidated by the length, and just do as many problems as you need to refresh your skills.

Functions

1. What are the domain and range of f (x) shown 2. Which of the following graphs is the graph of a
in the graph below? function?

• The domain is [−1, 10] (component of the graph

covered in the x direction).
D

• The range is [0, 16] (component of the graph cov- (D) is the graph of a function. (C) , (A) , and (B)
ered in the y direction). all fail the vertical line test.
Remember that, for a given x value, a function can
only have one single y value.
(4 − 4x2 )
3. Consider the function g(x) = .
(4x2 + 3x)
The graph below shows the domain and range with blue (a) Find the domain of g(x).
lines. (b) Find the values of x that satisfy g(x) = 0.

(a) The domain is determined for this function by val-

ues that avoid a zero denominator. Setting the
denominator equal to zero, we find the x = 0 and
x = −0.75 make the denominator zero. Since all
other values of x will produce valid outputs for
g(x), the domain is

(−∞, −0.75)U (−0.75, 0)U (0, ∞).

(b) The values that satisfy g(x) = 0 can be found by

solving the equation

(4 − 4x2 )
=0
(4x2 + 3x)

1
 The numerator must equal zero, so the solutions 8. The monthly charge for a waste collection ser-
come from vice is 1475 dollars for 100 kg of waste and 1895
4 − 4x2 = 0 dollars for 130 kg of waste.
which gives x = −1 and x = 1 as solution. (a) Find a linear model for the cost, C, of waste
√ collection as a function of the number of kilo-
4. Let f (t) = t2 − 36. grams, w.
a) Find all values of t for which f (t) is a real (b) What is the slope of the line found in part
number. (a)?
b) Find the value(s) of t such that f (t) = 8.
Give units for the units for the slope.
(a) The domain is (−∞, −6]U [6, ∞). We can only use (c) What is the value of the vertical intercept
t values that lead to a 0 or positive numbers under of the line found in part (a)? Give the units of
the square root. the intercept.
= 8 are t = −10 and t = 10.
(b) The solutions to f (t) √
Square both sides of t2 − 36 = 8 and then solve (a) We find the slope m and intercept b in the linear
for t. equation C = b + mw. To find the slope m, we use
∆C 1895 − 1475
5. Give the domain and range of the function m= = = 14.
1 ∆w 130 − 100
y= 2 . We substitute to find b:
x +5
1895 = b + (14)(130)
(a) The domain is (−∞, ∞). No matter what x so that b = 75.
values are used, the denominator will always be The linear formula is C = 14w + 75.
positive/non-zero, so there are no ‘bad’ x values.
(b) The slope is 14 dollars per kilogram. Each addi-
(b) The range is (0, 0.2]. This take a little more work tional kilogram of waste costs 14 dollars.
to figure out, but if you start plotting the graph,
you’ll see that as x moves away from x = 0, y will (c) The intercept is 75 dollars. The flat monthly fee to
always be decreasing. subscribe to the waste collection is 75 dollars, even if
there is no waste.
• At x = 0, the value of y = 1/5 = 0.2.
9. For tax purposes, you may have to report the
• As x moves away from zero, the denominator
value of your assets, such as cars or refriger-
gets larger and larger, so y → 0, though it can
ators. The value you report drops with time.
never actually equal zero.
“Straight-line depreciation” assumes that the
This gives the range of 0 < y ≤ 0.2, or in interval value is a linear function of time. If a 1100 dollar
notation, y ∈ (0, 0.2]. refrigerator depreciates completely in 14 years,
6. Give the domain and range of the function find a formula for its value as a function of time,
y = x2 + 1. x, in years.

We are looking for a linear function y = f (x) that,

(a) The domain is (−∞, ∞). The usual reasons for a
given a time x in years, gives a value y in dollars for the
break in the domain, a divide by zero, square root
value of the refrigerator. We know that when x = 0,
of a negative number, or a logarithm, are all ab-
that is, when the refrigerator is new, y = 1100, and
sent, so any x value will produce a real y value.
when x = 14, the refrigerator is worthless, so y = 0.
(b) The range is [1, ∞). This can be inferred either Thus (0, 1100) and (14, 0) are on the line that we are
from the graph (a parabola that opens up, shifted looking for. The slope is then given by
up by 1), or by noting that y is smallest when x2 is
smallest, i.e. when x = 0, and increases as x moves 1100 550
m= =−
away from x = 0. −14 7
It is negative, indicating that the value decreases as
7. Determine the domain of the function time passes. Having found the slope, we can take the
1
f (x) = point (14, 0) and use the point-slope formula:
x+1
y − y1 = m(x − x1 )
P (x)
The domain of a rational function Q(x) is the set of So,
numbers x such that Q(x)6=0. 550
y−0=− (x − 14),
In this case, we need x + 1 6= 0, or x 6= −1. Therefore 7
550
the domain is (−∞, −1) ∪ (−1, ∞). and the equation for the value is y = 1100 − 7 x.

2
10. Residents of the town of Maple Grove who are 12. The force, F , between two atoms depends on
connected to the municipal water supply are the distance r separating them. See the graph
billed a fixed amount monthly plus a charge for below. A positive F represents a repulsive force;
each cubic foot of water used. A household us- a negative F represents an attractive force.
ing 1500 cubic feet was billed $55, while one
using 2100 cubic feet was billed $73. (a) What happens to the force if the atoms
(a) What is the charge per cubic foot? start with r = a and are:
(b) Write an equation for the total cost, C, of (i) Pulled slightly further apart?
a resident’s water as a function of cubic feet, x,
(ii) Pushed slightly closer together?
of water used.
(b) The atoms are said to be in stable equi-
(c) How many cubic feet of water used would
librium if the force between them is zero and
lead to a bill of $100?
the atoms tend to return to the equilibrium af-
ter a minor disturbance. Is the distance r =
a a stable equilibrium for the two particles?

(a) The charge per cubic foot is 0.03 dollars.

(b) The equation for the cost, using x cubic feet, is

C(x) = 0.03x + 10.

(c) We solve the equation C(x) = 100, and get x =

(100 − 10)/0.03 = 3000 cubic feet of water would
cost $100.

11. The value of a car, V = f (a), in thousands of

dollars, is a function of the age of the car, a, in (a) (i) Moving from r = a, if r is increased, the force
years. goes negative, and so there is an attractive force
(a) Interpret the statement f (5) = 6. between the particles.
(ii) Moving from r = a, if r is decreased, the force
(b) Sketch a possible graph of V against a. Is goes positive, and so there is a repulsive force be-
f an increasing or decreasing function? tween the particles.
(c) In terms of the value of the car, what does (b) Yes, the distance r = a is a stable equilibrium. If
the horizontal intercept signify? What does the the atoms are pulled apart, a force attracts them
vertical intercept signify? back together, and if they are pushed closer to-
gether, they repel away.

13. The volume of a sphere, V , is proportional to

the cube of its radius, r. Write a formula rep-
resenting V in terms of r.
(a) The car has a value of 6,000 dollars after 5 years.

V = k r3
(b) The value of the car will be decreasing over time.
14. The average velocity, v, for a trip over a fixed
distance, d, is inversely proportional to the time
(c) The horizontal intercept represents when V = 0, of travel, t. Write a formula representing v in
or when the car will have a value of zero dollars. terms of t and d.
The vertical intercept represents when t = 0, or
d
the value of the car when it is new (assuming t = 0 average velocity = t
represents the purchase time).
15. The strength, S, of a beam is proportional to
the square of its thickness, h. Write a formula
representing S in terms of h.

3
S = k h2 18. When Galileo was formulating the laws of mo-
tion, he considered the motion of a body start-
ing from rest and falling under gravity. He orig-
inally thought that the velocity of such a falling
16. The energy, E, expended by a swimming dol- body was proportional to the distance it had
phin is proportional to the cube of the speed, v, fallen.
of the dolphin. Write a formula representing E Below are the results from two experiments
in terms of v. dropping an object, with negligible air resis-
tance.

Table A
Distance (ft) 0 1 2 3 4
Velocity (ft/sec) 0 8 11.3 13.9 16

E = k v3 Table B
Time (sec) 0 1 2 3 4
Velocity (ft/sec) 0 32 64 96 128

17. The number of animal species, N , of a certain

body length, l, is inversely proportional to the a) What does the experimental data in Table
square of l. Write a formula representing N in A tell you about Galileo’s hypothesis?
terms of l. b) What alternative hypothesis is suggested by
the two sets of data in Table A and Table B?

(a) The data indicates that the hypothesis is incor-

rect. If it were true, then adding 1 to the distance
should add a fixed amount to the velocity as well.
We see in the table though that the velocity in-
creases by different amounts for each fixed increase
1 in the distance.
N =k l2
(b) Table B shows a relationship that is proportional:
in particular, the velocity is proportional to the
time in free fall. (Each second leads to 32 more
feet per second in the velocity).

Exponentials

19. A town has a population of 1600 people at time 20. a) Transform the function P = P0 e0.8t into the
t = 0. In each of the following cases, write a form P = P0 at .
formula for the population, P , of the town as a
b) Does the function represent exponential
function of year t.
growth or exponential decay?
a) The population increases by 62 people per
year. (a) We can convert by equating at and e0.8t , or ignor-
b) The population increases by 9% per year. ing the common t value,
a = e0.8 ≈ 2.2255 so
at = e0.8t ≈ 2.2255t
Thus, P = P0 (2.2255)t is equivalent to P =
(a) P (t) = 1600 + 62t. P0 e0.8t .
(b) P (t) = 1600(1 + 0.09)t or 1600(1.09)t . (b) It represents exponential growth. The base is
larger than 1, so taking higher powers leads to
larger numbers.

4
21. The table below shows some values of a linear 23. When a new product is advertised, more and
function f and an exponential function g. Fill in more people try it. However, the rate at which
exact values (not decimal approximations) for new people try it slows as time, t, goes on.
each of the missing entries. a) Which graph best reflects the above situa-
tion?

x 0 1 2 3 4
f (x) 15 225
g(x) 15 225

Since f is linear, its slope is a constant m, where

m = 225−15
3 = 70. Thus f (x) = 70 · x + 15, and we A) B)
have

f (1) = 70+15, f (2) = 70·2+15, and f (4) = 70·4+15.

Since g is exponential, its growth factor is constant.

Writing g(x) = abx , we have g(0) = a = 15, so
g(x) = 15bx . Since g(3) = 15b3 = 225, we have C) D)
b3 = 225
15 = 15, so b = (15)
1/3
. Thus g(x) = 15(15)x/3 ,
and we have b) What do you know about the concavity of
the graph?
1 2 4
g(1) = 15(15) 3 , g(2) = 15(15) 3 , and g(4) = 15(15) 3 .
(a) Graph D
22. Match the functions f (x), g(x) and h(x), whose
(b) Graph D is concave down.
values are given in the table below, with the for-
mulas
24. Choose the graph that best reflects the given
y = a(1.3)x , y = b(1.08)x , y = c(1.02)x , situation:
a) The total revenue generated by a car rental
assuming a, b and c are constants. Note that the business, plotted against the amount spent on
function values in the table have been rounded advertising.
to two decimal places.
b) The temperature of a cup of hot coffee stand-
ing in a room, plotted as a function of time.
x f (x) x g(x) x h(x)
2 3.38 0 4 1 1.08
3 4.39 1 4.08 2 1.17
4 5.71 2 4.16 3 1.26
5 7.43 3 4.24 4 1.36
6 9.65 4 4.33 5 1.47
A) B)

y = a(1.3)x is the function y = b(1.08)x is the function

y = c(1.02)x is the function
We can match the functions by taking ratios of the
successive terms to determine the base of each of the
exponential functions in the data.
C) D)
4.39 5.71
For f (x), we have 3.38 = 1.3, 4.39 = 1.3, 7.43
5.71 = 1.3,
etc., so that it appears that this must be the function
y = a(1.3)x . (a) Graph B

Similarly, g(x) is y = c(1.02)x and h(x) is y = b(1.08)x (b) Graph D

5
 25. When the Olympic Games were held outside (b) The prices increased to (1 + 0.0067)365 = 11.44261,
Mexico City in 1968, there was much discus- which indicates an increase of 1044.261%.
sion about the effect the high altitude (7340
27. (a) The half-life of radium-226 is 1620 years.
feet) would have on the athletes. Assuming air
Write a formula for the quantity, Q, of radium
pressure decays exponentially by 0.4% every 100
left after t years, if the initial quantity is q.
feet, by what percentage is air pressure reduced
by moving from sea level to Mexico City? (b) What percentage of the original amount of
radium is left after 600 years?
The air pressure is reduced by 25.49%.
From the “0.4% reduction every 100 feet”, we imme- (a) Q(t) = q(1/2)(t/1620)
diately arrive at the model P (h) = (1 − 0.004)t/100
(b) At t = 600, Q(600) = q · 0.7739, so 77.39% of the
where t is measured in feet. (When t = 100, we’ll get
original amount is left.
P (100) = (1 − 0.004)1 = 0.996, which is a 0.4% reduc-
tion.) In Mexico city, h = 7340, so P (7340) = 0.7451, 28. In the early 1960s, radioactive strontium-90 was
or 74.51% of sea-level pressure, for a drop of 1 − 0.7451 released during atmospheric testing of nuclear
or 25.49% weapons and was absorbed into the bones of
26. During April 2006, Zimbabwe’s inflation rate people alive at the time. If the half-life of
averaged 0.67% a day. This means that, on strontium-90 is 29 years, what fraction of the
average, prices went up by 0.67% from one day strontium-90 absorbed in 1960 remained in peo-
to the next. ple’s bones in 2002?
(a) By what percentage did prices in Zimbabwe
increase in April of 2006? The fraction of strontium-90 left is given by the model
(b) Assuming the same rate all year, what was S(t) = (1/2)t/29 if t is measured in years. Therefore,
Zimbabwe’s annual inflation rate during 2006? between 2002 and 1960 (42 years), the fraction will have
dropped to
(a) The prices increased to (1 + 0.0067)30 = 1.22181, S(42) = (1/2)((2002−1960)/29) ≈ 0.3665, so 36.65% of
which indicates an increase of 22.181%. the original amount will be present still in 2002.

Function Transformations

29. Are the following functions invertible? The length of the column of mercury when the temper-
ature is 22 degrees Celsius.
(a) f (t) is the total accumulated rainfall in
inches t minutes into a sudden rainstorm in 31. For the function f (x) = 2ex and g(x) = x6 , find
July, 2005. the following:
(a) f (g(1))
(b) g(w) is the cost of mailing a letter weighing (b) g(f (1))
w grams. (c) f (g(x))
(d) g(f (x))
(a) f (t) is invertible. Given an amount of rain that has (e) f (t)g(t)
fallen, say f (t) = 1.3 inches, there can be only one
time t at which that amount of rain had fallen.
(b) g(w) is not invertible. Given a cost of mailing, say 6
g(w) = 1.4 dollars, there is a minimum weight that (a) f (g(1)) = f (16 ) = 2e(1 )
will cost 1.4 dollars to send, and any letter whose (b) g(f (1)) = g(2e1 ) = (2e1 )6
6
weight w is less than a gram more than that will (c) f (g(x)) = f (x6 ) = 2e(x )
cost the same amount. So we do not know what (d) g(f (x)) = g(2e ) = (2ex )6
x

weight the letter has. (e) f (t)g(t) = 2et t6

30. Let f (x) be the temperature (◦ C) when the col-
umn of mercury in a particular thermometer is
x inches long. What is the meaning of f −1 (22) 32.
in practical terms?

6
 The original graph, y = Se−kt is an exponential decay
curve, with a t intercept at t = 0, y = S.

f (x) g(x)
Use the figures above to find the following val-
ues. Note that you can find exact values.
(a) f (g(3))
(b) g(f (2))
(c) g(g(9))

To obtain the graph of Q, we need two further trans-

(a) f (g(3)) = f (−0.75) which is 3. formations:
(b) g(f (2)) = g(−1) which is 1.5.
(c) g(g(9)) = g(0.75) which is 0.9375.

33. Calculate the composite functions f ◦g and g ◦f

• y = −Se−kt , which is the previous graph flipped
given that f (x) = cos(x) , g(x) = 6x3 + 9x2 − 3
vertically across y = 0. This new graph is in-
creasing, with the t intercept at t = 0, y =
f (g(x)) = f (6x3 + 9x2 − 3) = cos 6x3 + 9x2 − 3 ; −S, and a horizontal asymptote at y = 0.

g(f (x)) = g(cos(x)) = 6 cos3 (x) + 9 cos2 (x) − 3.

34. Calculate the composite functions f ◦g and g◦f ,

given that f (x) = 6x , g(x) = x7

7
f (g(x)) = f (x7 ) = 6x ;
g(f (x)) = g(6x ) = 67x .

35. Relative to the graph of

y = x2 • Q = −Se−kt +S, which is another way to write the

goal function of Q = S(1−e−kt ). By adding S, we
the graphs of the following equations have been shift the graph vertically up by S. The t intercept
changed in what way? is now at y = 0, and the horizontal asymptote is
(a) y = (5x)2
(b) y = (x + 5)2
(c) y = (x − 5)2
(d) y = (x/5)2

(a) Compressed horizontally by the factor 5.

(b) Shifted 5 units left.
(c) Shifted 5 units right. at y = S.

(d) Stretched horizontally by the factor 5.

36. How does the graph of Q = S(1 − e−kt ) relate

to the graph of the exponential decay function, 37.
y = Se−kt ?

7
 39. The graph of a function f (x) is given below.

Give a possible formula for the function shown Find a possible formula for f (x) whose graph is
in the graph using shifts of x2 or x3 . illustrated above by using a shift of either x2 or
x3 . Point A has coordinates (2, −3).
From experience, we know this is a transformation of
the cubic y = x3 , as it is not a parabola (y = x2 ). The This graph looks like a shift of y = −x2 . The graph is
following transformations have been applied: shifted to the right by 2 units and down by 3 units, so
2
a possible formula is f (x) = −1(x − 2) − 3.
• It has been shifted up by 1: include “+1” at the √
end. 40. The function f (x) = 3x − x2 is given graphed
below:
• It has been shifted right by 2: change “x” to
“(x − 2)”.
• It has been flipped vertically: change “x3 ” to
“−x3 ”.

Final function: y = −1(x − 2)3 + 1

Confirmation: at x = 2, we get y = −1(2 − 2)3 + 1 = 1,
so (2, 1) is on the graph. As as x → ∞, y → −∞, also
as shown on the graph.
(a) Starting with the formula for f (x), find a
38. formula for g(x), which is graphed below:

(b) Starting with the formula for f (x), find a

formula for h(x), which is graphed below:

Give a possible formula for the function shown

in the graph using shifts of x2 or x3 .

−1(x − (−3))2 + 3

8
(a) The vertical scale is magnified by 4 so we multiply 44. A kilogram weighs about 2.2 pounds.
outside the function 4; and
(a) Write a formula for the function, f , which
the graph is shifted horizontally to the right by 3,
gives an object’s mass in kilograms, k, as a func-
so we replace everypx with x − 3: tion of its weight in pounds, p:
New graph: y = 4 3(x − 3) − (x − 3)2
(b) Find a formula for the inverse function of f :
(b) The graph is flipped vertically (multiply outside by
-1), (c) In practical terms, what does inverse func-
shifted down vertically by one (add a -1 at the end tion tell you?
of the function), and
moved left by 4 (replacing
p each x with x +4). (a) k = p/2.2
New graph: y = −1 3(x + 4) − (x + 4)2 − 1 (b) p = 2.2k
41. A spherical balloon is growing with radius r = (c) The inverse here tells us the object’s mass in
3t+4, in centimeters, for time t in seconds. Find pounds (p) as a function of kilograms (k).
the volume of the balloon at 3 seconds.
45. Consider the graph f below:
At t = 3, we have a radius of 3 · 3 + 4 = 13 cm, so the
volume is 43 πr3 ≈ 9202.77 cm3 .
42. A tree of height y meters has, on average, B
branches, where B = y − 1. Each branch has,
on average, n leaves where n(B) = 2B 2 − B.
Find the average number of leaves of a tree as
a function of height.

Let’s define L as number of leaves. We are looking for a) Which graph could be a representation of
L, as function of height y. f −1 ?
At a height y,
• there will be B = y − 1 branches, and
• each branch will have n = 2B 2 − B = 2(y − 1)2 −
(y − 1) leaves.
The total number of leaves will then be (number of
branches) × (number of leaves per branch): A) B)
L(y) = (y − 1) (2(y − 1)2 − (y − 1))
| {z } | {z }
# branches # leaves/branch

43. The cost of producing q articles is given by the

function C = f (q) = 125 + 3q.
(a) Find a formula for the inverse function,
f −1 (C). (b) In practical terms, what does the C) D)
inverse function tell you? b) Using your graph choice from part a), esti-
mate f −1 (1).
(a) Solving for q, q = (C − 125)/3
(b) The function q(C) gives the number of articles (a) B
produced at given cost.
(b) From the graph B, f −1 (1) = −1.

Logarithms

46. Find the exact value for each expression:

(a) log3125
√
5.
(b) ln(e 9 ).

9
To simplify a logarithm value, you need to express the 49. Without a calculator or computer, match the
inside (5) as a power of the base. E.g. log10 (100) = 2 functions ex , ln x, x2 , and x1/2 to their graphs.
because log10 (100) = log10 (102 ) = 2.
(a) ex
(a) If we look at powers of 5, we note that 55 = 3125, (b) ln x
which means 31251/5 = 5. (c) x2
Thus log3125 5 = log3125 (31251/5 ) = 15 . (d) x1/2
(b) This can be evaluated directly, using the fact that
ln(x) and ex are inverse functions: for any value
x, ln(ex ) =√ x.
9
√
√ ) = 9, which we can optionally sim-
Here, ln(e
plify to 9 = 3.
47. Solve each equation for x:
(a) Solve ln(8x − 1) = −2 for x. E) F)
(b) Solve e(4x+3) = 6 for x.

(a)

ln(8x − 1) = −2
Insert e as a base: eln(8x−1) = e−2 G) H)
ln, e inverse: 8x − 1 = e−2
solve normally: 8x = e−2 + 1 (a) y = ex is graph H
e−2 + 1 (b) y = ln(x) is graph G
x= ≈ 0.1419
8
(c) y = x2 is graph E
(d) y = x1/2 is graph F
(b)
50. The exponential function y(x) = Ceαx satisfies
(4x+3)
e =6 the conditions y(0) = 3 and y(1) = 5.
(4x+3) a) Find the constant C.
ln of both sides: ln(e ) = ln(6)
ln, e inverse: 4x + 3 = ln(6) b) Find the constant α.
c) What is y(2)?
4x = ln(6) − 3
ln(6) − 3
x= ≈ −0.3021 (a) Since y(0) = 3, 3 = Ceα·0 = C · 1, so C = 3.
4
(b) Since y(1) = 5, 5 = 3eα·1 .

48. Classify each of the following as either True or 5

= eα
False.  3
5
(a) (ln ab ) = b ln a ln =α
P
(b) ln Q = ln P − ln Q 3
(c) ln ab = b ln a so α ≈ 0.51083
(d) log2 P QR = log2 P + log2 Q + log2 R
(c) y(2) = 3e0.51083·2 ≈ 8.334
(a) True - “power inside” turns into “multiplication
outside”. 51. If h(x) = ln(x + a), where a > 0, what is the
effect of increasing a on:
(b) True - “division inside” turns into “differ-
ence/subtraction outside”. a) The y-intercept?
b) The x-intercept?
(c) False - This is an incorrect mix of power and mul-
tiplication rules.
(a) It increases the y intercept.
(d) True - This is the “multiplication inside” turns into
“addition outside” rule, applied several times. (b) It moves the x intercept to the left.

10
 52. If g(x) = ln(ax + 2), where a is a positive quan- This gives a model of P (t) = 21e0.15694t .
tity, what is the effect of increasing a on: To answer the question given, how long does it take
to reach 210 frogs, we set P = 210 and solve for t:
(a) The y-intercept?
210 = 21e0.15694t
(b) The x-intercept? 10 = e0.15694t
ln(10) = 0.15694t
ln(10)
(a) It has no effect on the y intercept, because g(0) will t= ≈ 14.7 days
0.15694
always equal ln(2) regardless of a.
(b) 28.7 days to reach 1900 frogs.
(b) It moves the x intercept to the right.
We can use either of the models discussed in part
53. If f (x) = a ln(x + 2), what is the effect of in- (a) to solve this. We just change the target popu-
creasing a on the vertical asymptote? lation in the last step to 1900 frogs, instead of 210
frogs.
It will have no effect, because a changes the vertical 55. At time t hours after taking the cough sup-
scaling, but the asymptote of the graph will remain at pressant hydrocodone bitartrate, the amount,
x = −2. A, in mg, remaining in the body is given by
54. There are currently 21 frogs in a (large) A = 10(0.83)t .
pond. The frog population grows exponentially,
(a) What was the initial amount taken?
tripling every 7 days.
(b) What percentage of the drug leaves the
(a) How long will it take (in days) for there to body each hour?
be 210 frogs in the pond?
(c) How much of the drug is left in the body 8
(b) The pond’s ecosystem can support 1900 hours after the dose is administered?
frogs. How long until the situation becomes
(d) How long is it until only 1 mg of the drug
critical?
remains in the body?
(a) 14.7 days to reach 210 frogs.
(a) 10 mg were taken, because A(0) = 10.
Based on the information in the problem, one
model for the population that can be constructed (b) 17%, because after one hour there is 0.83 times as
immediately is P (t) = 21(3)t/7 . We then solve the much, or a loss of 1-0.83 = 0.17 or 17%.
equation 210 = 213t/7 for t. (c) A(8) = 2.2523 mg.
If building models like that isn’t in your experi- (d) Solving for A(t) = 1, we find t = 12.358 hours.
ence, you can always start with a default base-e
exponential model: 56. A cup of coffee contains 110 mg of caffeine,
which leaves the body at a continuous rate
P (t) = P0 ekt of 18% per hour.
(a) Write a formula for the amount, A mg, of
This model has two values to be determined, P0 caffeine in the body t hours after drinking a cup
and k. We can solve for them using the given in- of coffee.
formation: (b) Use logarithms to find the half-life of caf-
P (0) = 21 (initial population) feine.
P (7) = 3 × 21 = 63 (triple population after one week) (a) A(t) = 110e−0.18t
(b) Setting A = (0.5)110 (half the initial amount of
Using those values in the P0 ekt form gives:
110 mg), and then solving for t gives t = 3.851
21 = P0 e0 so P0 = 21 hours as the half-life.
63 = (21)(ek·7 ) 57. In 2000, there were about 212 million vehicles
(cars and trucks) and about 283 million peo-
63
= e7k ple in the US. The number of vehicles has been
21 growing at 6% a year, while the population has
3 = e7k been growing at 1% a year.
ln(3) = 7k If the growth rates remain constant, when is
ln(3) there, to the nearest year, one vehicle per per-
k= ≈ 0.15694
7 son?

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Since both rates would be interpreted as “after one (a) 6.57 hours.
year, there 6% more cars, and 1% more people”, we
can build functions that represent both quantities us- (b) 3.52 hours.
ing the a0 (1 + r)t growth formulas (which guarantee
exactly r% growth in one time interval). 60. A picture supposedly painted by Vermeer (1632-
1675) contains 99.5% of its carbon-14 (half-life
C(t) = 212(1 + 0.06)t 5730 years).
P (t) = 283(1 + 0.01)t (a) What percentage of the painting’s original
Setting these two quantities equal to each other, to carbon would be left today if the picture had
find the t when (# of cars) = (# of people). (Note been created in 1675?
that there are multiple ways to manipulate the follow- (b) From this information, decide whether the
ing equations and solve for t: we just show one option picture is a fake.
here.)
212(1.06)t = 283(1.01)t (a) A general formula for the percentage of carbon-14
t t left in the painting would be given by
ln both sides: ln(212(1.06) ) = ln(283(1.01) )
Using ln rules: ln(212) + t ln(1.06) = ln(283) + t ln(1.01) P (t) = 100e−kt
t ln(1.06) − t ln(1.01) = ln(283) − ln(212)
factor out t: t(ln(1.06) − ln(1.01)) = ln(283) − ln(212) and then use the half-life information to solve for
ln(283) − ln(212) k, knowing that P (5730) = 50 percent. Solving
t= this would give k = − 5730
ln(0.5)
≈ 0.00012097.
(ln(1.06) − ln(1.01))
≈ 5.98 Alternatively, because we were given information
specifically about the half-life, we can use a for-
Since the ‘initial’ populations were measured in the mula tailored for that:
year 2000, t ≈ 5.98 or 6 would indicate that the car
 (t/5730)
and people populations would equal each other in the 1
year 2006. P (t) = 100
2
58. The air in a factory is being filtered so that the
quantity of a pollutant, P (in mg/liter), is de- We will use this (1/2) based formula, just be-
creasing according to the function P = P0 e−kt , cause it doesn’t involve nasty decimal values; the
where t is time in hours. If 15% of the pollution 100e−kt formula will produce the same answer
is removed in the first 6 hours: though.
(a) What percentage of the pollution is left af- Rounding, we are in year 2020, so between now
ter 12 hours? and 1675 is 345 years.
(b) How long is it before the pollution is re-
The amount of carbon-14 left will be given by
duced to 70% of its original level?
 (345/5730)
1
P (345) = 100
(a) 72.25% will be left after 12 hours. 2
(b) P (t) = 0.70 when t = 13.168 hours. ≈ 95.9%
59. A scientist places 20 cells in a petri dish. She
knows the cells grow at an exponential rate, This tells us that we should expect close to 96%
doubling in number every hour. carbon-14 would be left if the painting were in fact
made in 1675.
(a) How long will it take (in hours) for there to
be 1900 cells in the dish? (b) Fake. The amount of C-14 in the sample is 99.5%,
(a) How long will it take to reach 230 cells? but it should be around 96% if the painting were
the age it was reported to be.

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