7

Set 11: Exponential Functions

Explanation

Answer: A

A coffee cools from 95°C to 59.38°C in 10 minutes. If cooling is exponential with decay factor 0.9 per minute, what is the room temperature (asymptote)?

A.

20°C

✓ Correct
B.

0°C

C.

25°C

D.

30°C

Detailed Explanation

Choice A is correct. Choice A is the correct answer. Use the shifted exponential model. 1. Model: T(t)=(T0Troom)(b)t+TroomT(t) = (T_0 - T_{\text{room}})(b)^t + T_{\text{room}}. 2. Given: T0=95T_0 = 95, b=0.9b = 0.9, T(10)=59.38T(10) = 59.38. 3. Set up: 59.38=(95Troom)(0.9)10+Troom59.38= (95 - T_{\text{room}})(0.9)^{10} + T_{\text{room}}. 4. Solve: (0.9)100.3487(0.9)^{10} \approx 0.3487, so: $$59.38= (95 - T_{\text{room}})(0.3487) + T_{\text{room}}59.38= 33.13 - 0.3487 T_{\text{room}} + T_{\text{room}}26.25\approx 0.6513 T_{\text{room}}Troom20°CT_{\text{room}} \approx 20°\text{C} Strategic Tip: The horizontal asymptote represents room temperature in cooling problems. Choice B is incorrect because room temperature isn't freezing. Choice C is incorrect because this doesn't match the calculation. Choice D is incorrect because this is too warm.

Key Steps:

The correct answer is 20°C

Why others are wrong:
B: Choice B is incorrect and may result from a calculation error.
C: Choice C is incorrect and may result from a calculation error.
D: Choice D is incorrect and may result from a calculation error.

🎯 Keep Practicing!

Master all sections for your best SAT score