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(Modeling) Solve each problem. See Example 11 . Employee Training A person learning certain skills involving repetition tends to learn quickly at first. Then learning tapers off and skill acquisition approaches some upper limit. Suppose the number of symbols per minute that a person using a keyboard can type is given by $$ f(t)=250-120(2.8)^{-0.5 t} $$ where \(t\) is the number of months the operator has been in training. Find each value. (a) \(f(2)\) (b) \(f(4)\) (c) \(f(10)\) (d) What happens to the number of symbols per minute after several months of training?

Short Answer

Expert verified
f(2) ≈ 207.15, f(4) ≈ 234.69, f(10) ≈ 249.66. After several months, the number of symbols per minute approaches 250.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Function

The function given is: \[ f(t) = 250 - 120(2.8)^{-0.5t} \]This function represents the number of symbols per minute (f) that a person can type after t months of training.
02

Evaluate for t = 2

Substitute t = 2 into the function: \[ f(2) = 250 - 120(2.8)^{-0.5(2)} \]Simplify the exponent first: \[ -0.5 \times 2 = -1 \]So, \[ f(2) = 250 - 120(2.8)^{-1} \]Calculate \[ 2.8^{-1} = \frac{1}{2.8} \approx 0.3571 \]Multiply: \[ 120 \times 0.3571 \approx 42.85 \]Finally, \[ f(2) = 250 - 42.85 \approx 207.15 \]
03

Evaluate for t = 4

Substitute t = 4 into the function: \[ f(4) = 250 - 120(2.8)^{-0.5(4)} \]Simplify the exponent first: \[ -0.5 \times 4 = -2 \]So, \[ f(4) = 250 - 120(2.8)^{-2} \]Calculate \[ 2.8^{-2} = \left(\frac{1}{2.8}\right)^{2} \approx 0.1276 \]Multiply: \[ 120 \times 0.1276 \approx 15.31 \]Finally, \[ f(4) = 250 - 15.31 \approx 234.69 \]
04

Evaluate for t = 10

Substitute t = 10 into the function: \[ f(10) = 250 - 120(2.8)^{-0.5(10)} \]Simplify the exponent first: \[ -0.5 \times 10 = -5 \]So, \[ f(10) = 250 - 120(2.8)^{-5} \]Calculate \[ 2.8^{-5} = \left(\frac{1}{2.8}\right)^{5} \approx 0.00280 \]Multiply: \[ 120 \times 0.00280 \approx 0.34 \]Finally, \[ f(10) = 250 - 0.34 \approx 249.66 \]
05

Analyze Long-term Behavior

As \( t \) increases, the term \( (2.8)^{-0.5t} \) approaches 0 because the exponent becomes more negative. Thus, the expression \( 250 - 120(2.8)^{-0.5t} \) approaches 250, indicating that after several months of training, the number of symbols per minute approaches 250.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Exponential Functions
The key components of exponential functions:
Long-term Behavior
Therefore:
Skill Acquisition
The exercise function \( f(t) = 250 - 120(2.8)^{-0.5t} \) models this behavior in typing skills. It shows fast initial progress and gradual leveling off. Here’s a breakdown:

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