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Advanced Math / Nonlinear functions Difficulty: Medium
Time (years) Total amount (dollars)
00 604.00604.00
11 606.42606.42
22 608.84608.84

Rosa opened a savings account at a bank. The table shows the exponential relationship between the time t , in years, since Rosa opened the account and the total amount n , in dollars, in the account. If Rosa made no additional deposits or withdrawals, which of the following equations best represents the relationship between t and n ?

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Explanation

Choice C is correct. It’s given that the relationship between t and n is exponential. The table shows that the value of n increases as the value of t increases. Therefore, the relationship between t and n can be represented by an increasing exponential equation of the form n=a1+bt, where a and b are positive constants. The table shows that when t = 0 , n = 604 . Substituting 0 for t and 604 for n in the equation n=a1+bt yields 604=a1+b0, which is equivalent to 604=a1, or 604=a. Substituting 604 for a in the equation n=a1+bt yields n=6041+bt. The table also shows that when t = 1 , n = 606.42 . Substituting 1 for t and 606.42 for n in the equation n=6041+bt yields 606.42=6041+b1, or 606.42=6041+b. Dividing both sides of this equation by 604 yields approximately 1.004=1+b. Subtracting 1 from both sides of this equation yields that the value of b is approximately 0.004 . Substituting 0.004 for b in the equation n=6041+bt yields n=6041+0.004t. Therefore, of the choices, choice C best represents the relationship between t and n .

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.