College

If [tex]$f(x)$[/tex] is an exponential function of the form [tex]$y=ab^x$[/tex] where [tex]$f(-5)=12$[/tex] and [tex]$f(0)=84$[/tex], then find the value of [tex]$f(-3.5)$[/tex], to the nearest hundredth.

Answer :

To solve the problem where [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] is an exponential function of the form [tex]\( y = a \cdot b^x \)[/tex], and we are given that [tex]\( f(-5) = 12 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( f(0) = 84 \)[/tex], we need to find the value of [tex]\( f(-3.5) \)[/tex].

### Step 1: Determine the value of [tex]\( a \)[/tex]

Since [tex]\( f(0) = 84 \)[/tex], substituting into the exponential function gives us:

[tex]\[
f(0) = a \cdot b^0 = a \cdot 1 = a
\][/tex]

So, [tex]\( a = 84 \)[/tex].

### Step 2: Find the base [tex]\( b \)[/tex]

We know that [tex]\( f(-5) = 12 \)[/tex], so:

[tex]\[
f(-5) = a \cdot b^{-5} = 12
\][/tex]

Substituting [tex]\( a = 84 \)[/tex] into the equation:

[tex]\[
84 \cdot b^{-5} = 12
\][/tex]

To solve for [tex]\( b^{-5} \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[
b^{-5} = \frac{12}{84}
\][/tex]

Simplifying:

[tex]\[
b^{-5} = \frac{1}{7}
\][/tex]

Thus, raising both sides to the power of [tex]\(-1/5\)[/tex] to solve for [tex]\( b \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[
b^5 = 7
\][/tex]

Taking the fifth root:

[tex]\[
b = 7^{1/5} \approx 1.48
\][/tex]

### Step 3: Calculate [tex]\( f(-3.5) \)[/tex]

Now, we want to find [tex]\( f(-3.5) \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[
f(-3.5) = a \cdot b^{-3.5}
\][/tex]

Substituting the known values [tex]\( a = 84 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( b \approx 1.48 \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[
f(-3.5) \approx 84 \cdot (1.48)^{-3.5}
\][/tex]

Carrying out the calculation:

[tex]\[
f(-3.5) \approx 21.51
\][/tex]

Thus, the value of [tex]\( f(-3.5) \)[/tex], rounded to the nearest hundredth, is approximately [tex]\( 21.51 \)[/tex].