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Learning Curve A learning curve is a graph of a function P(t) that measures the performance of someone learning a skill as a function of the training time t. At first, the rate of learning is rapid. Then, as performance increases and approaches a maximal value M, the rate of learning decreases. It has been found that the function
where k and C are positive constants and C < M is a reasonable model for learning.
- (a) Express the learning time t as a function of the performance level P.
- (b) For a pole-vaulter in training, the learning curve is given by
where P(t) is the height he is able to pole-vault after t months. After how many months of training is he able to vault 12 ft?
- (c) Draw a graph of the learning curve in part (b).
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Chapter 4 Solutions
Precalculus: Mathematics for Calculus (Standalone Book)
- Learning Curve A learning curve is a graph of a function P(t) that measures the performance of someone learning a skill as a function of the training time t. At first, the rate of learning is rapid. Then, as performance increases and approaches a maximal value M, the rate of learning decreases. It has been found that the function P(t)=MCekt where k and C are positive constants and CM is a reasonable model for learning. a Express the learning time t as a function of the performance level P. b For s pole-vaulter in training, the learning curve is given by P(t)=2014e0.024t where P(t) is the height he is able to pole-vault after t months. After how many months of training is he able to vault 12 ft? c Draw a graph of the learning curve in part b.arrow_forwardDecay of Litter Litter such as leaves falls to the forest floor, where the action of insects and bacteria initiates the decay process. Let A be the amount of litter present, in grams per square meter, as a function of time t in years. If the litter falls at a constant rate of L grams per square meter per year, and if it decays at a constant proportional rate of k per year, then the limiting value of A is R=L/k. For this exercise and the next, we suppose that at time t=0, the forest floor is clear of litter. a. If D is the difference between the limiting value and A, so that D=RA, then D is an exponential function of time. Find the initial value of D in terms of R. b. The yearly decay factor for D is ek. Find a formula for D in term of R and k. Reminder:(ab)c=abc. c. Explain why A=RRekt.arrow_forwardMaximum Sales Growth This is a continuation of Exercise 10. In this exercise, we determine how the sales level that gives the maximum growth rate is related to the limit on sales. Assume, as above, that the constant of proportionality is 0.3, but now suppose that sales grow to a level of 4 thousand dollars in the limit. a. Write an equation that shows the proportionality relation for G. b. On the basis of the equation from part a, make a graph of G as a function of s. c. At what sales level is the growth rate as large as possible? d. Replace the limit of 4 thousand dollars with another number, and find at what sales level the growth rate is as large as possible. What is the relationship between the limit and the sales level that gives the largest growth rate? Does this relationship change if the proportionality constant is changed? e. Use your answers in part d to explain how to determine the limit if we are given sales data showing the sales up to a point where the growth rate begins to decrease.arrow_forward
- Sales Growth In this exercise, we develop a model for the growth rate G, in thousands of dollars per year, in sales of the product as a function of the sales level s, in thousands of dollars. The model assumes that there is a limit to the total amount of sales that can be attained. In this situation, we use the term unattained sales for difference this limit and the current sales level. For example, if we expect sales grow to 3 thousand dollars in the long run, then 3-s is the unattained sales. The model states that the growth rate G is proportional to the product of the sales level s, and the unattained sales. Assume that the constant of proportionality is 0.3 and that the sales grow to 2 thousand dollars in the long run. a.Find the formula for unattained sales. b.Write an equation that shows the proportionality relation for G. c.On the basis of the equation from the part b, make a graph of G as a function of s. d.At what sales level is the growth rate as large as possible? e.What is the largest possible growth rate?arrow_forwardSpawner-Recruit Model In fish management it is important to know the relationship between the abundance of the spawners also called the parent stock and the abundance of the recruitsthat is, those hatchlings surviving to maturity. According to the Ricker model, the number of recruits R as a function of the number of spawners P has the form R=APeBp for some positive constants A and B. This model describes well a phenomenon observed in some fisheries: A large spawning group can actually lead to a small group of recruits. In a study of the sockeye salmon, it was determined that A=4 and B=0.7. Here we measure P and R in thousands of salmon. a. Make a graph of R versus P for the sockeye salmon. Assume there are at most 3000 spawners. b. Find the maximum number of salmon recruits possible. c. If the number of recruits R is greater than the number of spawners P, then the difference R-P of the recruits can be removed by fishing, and next season there will once again be P spawners surviving to renew the cycle. What value of P gives the maximum value of R-P, the number of fish available for removal by fishing?arrow_forwardHollings Functional Response Curve The total number P of prey taken by a predator depends on the availability of prey. C.S. Holling proposed a function of the form P=cn(1+dn) to model the number of prey taken in certain situations. Here n is the density of prey available, and c and d are constants that depend on the organisms involved as well as on other environmental features. Holling took data gathered earlier by T. Burnett on the number of sawfly cocoons found by a small wasp parasite at given host density. In one such experiment conducted, Holling found the relationship p=21.96n1+2.41n, Where P is the number of cocoons parasitized and n is the density of cocoons available measured as number per square inch. a Draw a graph of p versus n. Include values of n up to 2 cocoons per square inch. b What density of cocoons will ensure that the wasp will find and parasitize 6 of them? c There is a limit to the number of cocoons that the wasp is able to parasitize no matter how readily available the prey may be. What is this upper limit?arrow_forward
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