Advanced MathVery hardPercent decrease per period from a scaled exponent
Advanced Math practice question
The function P(t) = 500(0.8)^(t/3) models the amount of a substance, in grams, t hours after a measurement. By what percent does the amount decrease every 3 hours?
Answer: 20
When t increases by 3, the exponent increases by 1, so P is multiplied by 0.8: a 20% decrease.
Common wrong answers
- If you answered 80
- 80% is what remains, not the decrease.
- If you answered 6.67
- 6.67% would be the naive per-hour figure, 20/3, which is not what the question asks.
- If you answered 0.8
- 0.8 is the multiplier, not a percent decrease.
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