# Exponential function!

• Feb 25th 2008, 06:46 PM
mathlete
Exponential function!
Since January 1, 1960, the population of Slim Chance has been described by the following formula where P(t) is the number of people in the city t years after the start of 1960.
P(t) = 38500(1.02)t

At what rate was the population changing on January 1, 1988

Exact Value:

decimal: to the nearest whole number

ok so i think for the first one you just find the derivative of the function...can i get a little help...thanks

mathlete
• Feb 25th 2008, 08:12 PM
mr fantastic
Quote:

Originally Posted by mathlete
Since January 1, 1960, the population of Slim Chance has been described by the following formula where P(t) is the number of people in the city t years after the start of 1960.
P(t) = 38500(1.02)t

At what rate was the population changing on January 1, 1988

Exact Value:

decimal: to the nearest whole number

ok so i think for the first one you just find the derivative of the function...can i get a little help...thanks

mathlete

The derivative of $a (b)^t$ is $(a \ln b) (b)^t$.