Question

Due to smoking, a terminally ill patient loses his lung capacity approximately 2% every 4 months. At this rate, beginning at 100% capacity, what will the patient's lung capacity be in one year?

Answer 1

94.1%

Explanation:

Convert that 100% to "1." Then:

Lung capacity as a decimal fraction) = C(x) = 1(1.00-0.02)^x, where x represents the number of 4-month periods.

After the first 4-month period, the lung cap should be 1(1.00-0.02)^1, or 0.98.

After the 2nd 4-month period, 1(0.98)^2, and

After the 3rd 4-month period, 1(0.98)^3, or 0.941

After 1 year (which is after three 4-month periods), the patient's lung cap has declined to 0.941 of its former maximum value (1), or 100%. 0.94 is equivalent to 94.1%.

Answer 2

94% lung capacity.

Explanation:

Find the unit rate. Divide 2 by 4 which gets 0.5.

Take 0.5 times 12 (12 months in one year)

You should get 6.

Then, 100 minus 6 (because the patient loses capacity) therefore you should get 94.