To determine the power function `y=ax^b` from the given coordinates: `(3,1)` and `(5,4)` , we set-up system of equations by plug-in the values of x and y on `y=ax^b` .
Using the coordinate `(3,1)` , we let `x=3` and `y =1` .
First equation: `1 = a*3^b`
Using the coordinate `(5,4)` , we let `x=5` and `y =4` .
Second equation: `4 = a*5^b`
Isolate "`a` " from the first equation.
`1 = a*3^b`
`1/3^b= (a*3^b)/3^b`
`a= 1/3^b`
Plug-in `a=1/3^b` on `4 = a*5^b` , we get:
`4 = 1/3^b*5^b`
`4= 1*5^b/3^b`
`4= 1*(5/3)^b`
`4= (5/3)^b`
Take the "`ln` " on both sides to bring down the exponent by applying the
natural logarithm property:` ln(x^n)=n*ln(x)` .
`ln(4)=ln((5/3)^b)`
`ln(4)=b ln(5/3)`
Divide both sides by `ln(5/3)` to isolate `b.`
`(ln(4))/(ln(5/3))=(b ln(5/3))/(ln(5/3))`
`b =(ln(4))/(ln(5/3)) or 2.714` (approximated value)
Plug-in `b~~ 2.714` on `a=1/3^b` , we get:
`a=1/3^2.714`
`a~~0.051`
Plug-in `a~~0.051` and `b~~2.714` on `y=ax^b` , we get the power function as:
`y =0.051x^2.714`
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