Can someone check these answers for me? (1 Viewer)

ptrgrgry

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These are easy questions, but I can't get the same answer as the textbook (either I'm retarded or the textbook is):

1. In 1976, 500 students entere for a particular examination. This number increased each year by 20% of the number who had entered in the previous year. Calculate the number who entered in 1981.

2. The value of a motor car when new is $8000. Its value depreciates each year by 15% of its value at the beginning of that year. After how many years will its value be $4000. (Answer is written as between a and b years).
 

mirakon

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The first one should have the answer 500(1.2)^5 whatever that is= 1244 i think

for second one

4000=8000(0.85)^n

0.5=0.85^n

Take ln of both sides

ln(0.5)=n x ln(0.85) By log laws index comes down, remember

Therefore

n= ln0.5/ln0.85 then approximate this appropriately to get the year
 
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ptrgrgry

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That's what i got
textbook says:
Q.1) is 1245
- I wrote 1244
Q.2) between 4 to 5 years
- I think it should be between 5 and 6 years.
 

hscishard

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4-5 is correct, as there is no power to the (n-1)

The first one I think should be 1245, as there can't be .16 of a student.
 

mirakon

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Actually it is 1245 as 1244.16 rounds up as hscishard is correct, you can't have a fraction of a student.
 

slyhunter

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i thought it was rounding down?? :\

if we have 199.6 people dont we actually only have 199 people?
What happens to the 0.6 of a person? We assume the 0.6 is one person, hence the rounding up.
 

annabackwards

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What happens to the 0.6 of a person? We assume the 0.6 is one person, hence the rounding up.
*nods*

It's like ordering/making food for a party. You always make it for more people than are expected to come ^^
 

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