Chapter 5: Problem 56
GENERAL: Total Savings A homeowner installs a solar water heater that is expected to generate savings at the rate of \(70 e^{0.03 t}\) dollars per year, where \(t\) is the number of years since it was installed. a. Find a formula for the total savings within the first \(t\) years of operation. b. Use a graphing calculator to find when the heater will "pay for itself" if it cost \(\$ 800\). [Hint: Use INTERSECT.]
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understanding the Problem
Setting Up the Integral
Solving the Integral
Evaluate the Definite Integral
Determine When the Heater Pays for Itself
Solve for t Algebraically
Final Calculation
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Exponential Functions
- The base of the exponential function in our case is \(e\), the natural logarithm base, which is approximately equal to 2.71828.
- In the function \(70 e^{0.03 t}\), the constant \(70\) represents the initial savings rate, while the exponent \(0.03 t\) reflects the continuous growth rate over time \(t\).
- As \(t\) increases, the exponential term \(e^{0.03 t}\) causes the savings to grow exponentially, meaning that savings increase faster and faster over time.
Integration
- Integration allows us to sum up small increments of savings over time. By integrating from \(t=0\) to any fixed time \(t\), we accumulate the total savings up to that point.
- The result of integrating \(70 e^{0.03 t}\) is an antiderivative, showing continuous accumulation. It gives us the total savings formula: \[ S(t) = \frac{70}{0.03} \left(e^{0.03 t} - 1\right) \]
- This formula is derived by evaluating the indefinite integral \(\int 70 e^{0.03 x} \, dx\) and then applying the limits of \(0\) to \(t\).
Mathematical Modeling
- We start with a rate of savings function, \(70 e^{0.03 t}\), a basic model designed to predict savings over time.
- By integrating this function, we transition from a rate model to a cumulative total model, \(S(t)\), showing total savings over time.
- Solving \(S(t)=800\) allows us to determine when the savings reach the cost of the heater, thus showing break-even point.