The ratios are approximately constant and equal to 0.7 which is indicative of an exponential relationship. The exponential equation is
.
To determine whether the relationship between x and y is linear or exponential, you can examine the ratio of consecutive y-values to see if it remains constant for a linear relationship or if it follows a constant multiplier for an exponential relationship.
Let's calculate the ratios for the given data:
![\[ (y_1)/(y_0) = (35)/(50) \approx 0.7 \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/mathematics/high-school/ckxlipxgbxm8u32hdthjany1oss749mqho.png)
![\[ (y_2)/(y_1) = (24.5)/(35) \approx 0.7 \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/mathematics/high-school/p5et5y6qglyyd8zpiaf51lvwqaw5eroj6f.png)
![\[ (y_3)/(y_2) = (17.15)/(24.5) \approx 0.7 \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/mathematics/high-school/rma0jxjauqklxv2qvkbuj202aybpxeijd8.png)
![\[ (y_4)/(y_3) = (12.005)/(17.15) \approx 0.7 \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/mathematics/high-school/s05uiykye9tod1cxlsmcsx1xdyx5paex0k.png)
![\[ (y_5)/(y_4) = (8.4035)/(12.005) \approx 0.7 \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/mathematics/high-school/nv5l5zjrxwg7yfw3ayuys3e22z8fgeof7c.png)
![\[ (y_6)/(y_5) = (5.88245)/(8.4035) \approx 0.7 \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/mathematics/high-school/7ngyh29wt9emmzvz3hb51jdt4mpiaovqmv.png)
![\[ (y_7)/(y_6) = (4.117715)/(5.88245) \approx 0.7 \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/mathematics/high-school/hqk1ggjzq9hgyl308lqaq1zdnest7fbi21.png)
The ratios are approximately constant and equal to 0.7. This suggests a consistent multiplier, which is indicative of an exponential relationship.
To find the exponential equation, you can write it in the form
, where a is the initial value and b is the constant multiplier.
Given the data, when x = 0, y = 50, so a = 50. The constant multiplier b is the ratio we found, which is approximately 0.7.
Therefore, the exponential equation is
.