Question

A variable star is one whose brightness alternately increases and decreases. for one such star, the time between periods of maximum brightness is 5.7 days, the average brightness (or magnitude) of the star is 4.2, and its brightness varies by ±0.25 magnitude. find a function that models the brightness of the star as a function of time (in days), t. (assume that at t = 0 the brightness of the star is 4.2 and that it is increasing.)

Answer 1

The equation is:
f(t) = 0.25 sin((2pi / 5.7) t) + 4.2
f(t) = 0.25 sin((pi / 2.85) t) + 4.2

This is because the general form of the equation is f(x) = A sin((2pi/T)x) + C

where
A = amplitude
T = period
C = mean value