A new car is purchased for 17600 dollars. The value of the car depreciates at 7.75% per year. To the nearest tenth of a year, how long will it be until the value of the car is 6ooo dollars?Answer:
Q. A new car is purchased for 17600 dollars. The value of the car depreciates at 7.75% per year. To the nearest tenth of a year, how long will it be until the value of the car is 6ooo dollars?Answer:
Determine formula for depreciation: Determine the formula for depreciation.The car depreciates at a constant percentage rate per year, which is an exponential decay problem.The formula for exponential decay is P(t)=P0⋅e(−kt), where P(t) is the value at time t, P0 is the initial value, k is the decay constant, and e is the base of the natural logarithm.
Calculate decay constant k: Calculate the decay constant k. The decay constant k can be found using the annual depreciation rate of 7.75%. k=0.0775 (since 7.75%=1007.75=0.0775)
Set up equation with given values: Set up the equation with the given values. P0=$17,600, P(t)=$6,000, and k=0.0775. $6,000=$17,600×e(−0.0775t)
Solve for t: Solve for t.Divide both sides by $17,600 to isolate the exponential term.$6,000/$17,600=e−0.0775t0.3409≈e−0.0775t
Take natural logarithm to solve for t: Take the natural logarithm of both sides to solve for t.ln(0.3409)=ln(e−0.0775t)ln(0.3409)=−0.0775t
Divide by −0.0775 to find t: Divide by −0.0775 to find t. t=−0.0775ln(0.3409) t≈−0.0775ln(0.3409) t≈14.206 (to the nearest tenth)
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