Suppose that the dollar value [tex]\( v(t) \)[/tex] of a certain house that is [tex]\( t \)[/tex] years old is given by the following exponential function.
[tex]\[ v(t) = 532,000(1.02)^t \][/tex]

1. Find the initial value of the house.

2. Does the function represent growth or decay?
A. growth
B. decay

3. By what percent does the value of the house change each year?
A. [tex]\( \square \)[/tex] 2%



Answer :

To solve the problem, let's break it down step-by-step:

1. Initial Value of the House:
- The function [tex]\( v(t) = 532,000 (1.02)^t \)[/tex] is an exponential function that models the value of the house over time.
- The initial value of the house is found by evaluating the function when [tex]\( t = 0 \)[/tex].
- Plugging [tex]\( t = 0 \)[/tex] into the function:

[tex]\[ v(0) = 532,000 \times (1.02)^0 \][/tex]

- Since [tex]\( (1.02)^0 = 1 \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ v(0) = 532,000 \times 1 = 532,000 \][/tex]

- Therefore, the initial value of the house is [tex]\( \$532,000 \)[/tex].

2. Growth or Decay:
- In an exponential function of the form [tex]\( v(t) = a(b)^t \)[/tex]:
- If [tex]\( b > 1 \)[/tex], the function represents growth.
- If [tex]\( 0 < b < 1 \)[/tex], the function represents decay.
- In the given function, [tex]\( b = 1.02 \)[/tex], which is greater than 1.
- Therefore, the function represents growth.

3. Percent Change Each Year:
- The base of the exponent, [tex]\( 1.02 \)[/tex], indicates the factor by which the house value changes each year.
- To find the percent change, we convert the factor to a percentage:
- Since [tex]\( 1.02 \)[/tex] represents a 2% increase (because [tex]\( 1.02 = 1 + 0.02 \)[/tex]).
- Therefore, the value of the house changes by 2% each year.

Let's summarize the findings:

1. Initial value of the house: [tex]\( \$532,000 \)[/tex]
2. The function represents: growth
3. Percent change each year: [tex]\( 2\% \)[/tex]