How can you just put random values for a?
One thing that may be confusing you is that you can choose either a or k arbitrarily, and then determine the other. For example, we often take a to be e, which doesn't restrict possibilities at all; or you could use a^t, implicitly taking k=1. Here, since the data involve doubling, I would take a=2 to make things simple. But you could also use e, or 10, or whatever you like. So "the values of a and k" is misleading; you just need to find a pair a, k that works.
Also, be aware that P(0) could be anything; you don't need to find it.
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Try it and find out! That's the best way to learn these things.How can you just put random values for a?
Please show how you got that, so we can help!I got a = ∛P(0) when k = 1.... which can't be right...
Yes, now you've got it, though you should replace k with 1 in the last line.Oh wait I just made a stupid mistake...
So is this correct? (Please refer to my attached image).
But I've explained twice, this is not how this sort of question is usually asked; and you are not just guessing a value of k, you are choosing what you want to use. Normally, they choose for you! So asking for "the values of a and k" is quite misleading. I consider it to be a bad question; I'm trying to help you learn from their mistake.I still don't get why you can just make k = 1 though... The question asks you to FIND the values of a and k, not guess one of them to get the other!
Ah, I see. Hmmmmmm okay, thank you!!!!!Yes, now you've got it, though you should replace k with 1 in the last line.
But I've explained twice, this is not how this sort of question is usually asked; and you are not just guessing a value of k, you are choosing what you want to use. Normally, they choose for you! So asking for "the values of a and k" is quite misleading. I consider it to be a bad question; I'm trying to help you learn from their mistake.
I'd be very interested to see what you were taught about exponential growth laws, if this problem is not your first exposure to the concept.
Try again, but this time choose to let a = 2, which as I said is particularly suitable for this problem because it is about doubling. You'll find that the answer you get is equivalent to what you got the first way, but has a nicer form.