Math  /  Algebra

QuestionSuppose that a company has just purchased a new computer for $2500\$ 2500. The company chooses to depreciate using the straight-line method for 5 years. (a) Write a linear function that expresses the book value V of the computer as a function of its age x . (b) What is the domain of the function found in part (a)? (c) Graph the linear function. (d) What is the book value of the computer after 2 years? (e) When will the computer have a book value of $500\$ 500 ? (a) The linear function is V(x)=V(x)= \square (Simplify your answer.)

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? We need to figure out how the value of a computer goes down over time, make a graph of it, and then answer some questions about specific values. Watch out! Make sure to understand that "straight-line depreciation" means the value goes down by the same amount each year.
Also, remember that the computer's value can't go below zero!

STEP 2

1. Find the Depreciation
2. Define the Function
3. State the Domain
4. Graph the Function
5. Calculate 2-Year Value
6. Calculate Time to $500\$500

STEP 3

Alright, so the computer starts out costing $2500\$2500 and it's going to be depreciated over **5** years.
This means we need to divide the **initial value** of $2500\$2500 by **5** to find out how much it depreciates each year.

STEP 4

So, $2500\$2500 divided by **5** is $500\$500.
That's our **annual depreciation**!
This means the computer loses $500\$500 in value every year.

STEP 5

Now, we can write our **linear function**.
We start with the **initial value** of the computer, which is $2500\$2500, and then subtract the **depreciation** multiplied by the number of years, which we'll call xx.

STEP 6

So, our function is V(x)=2500500xV(x) = 2500 - 500 \cdot x.
This tells us the **book value** VV of the computer after xx years.

STEP 7

The **domain** of our function is the set of all possible values for xx.
Since we're talking about the number of years, xx can't be negative.
Also, the computer is fully depreciated after **5** years, so xx can't be greater than **5**.

STEP 8

Therefore, the **domain** is 0x50 \le x \le 5.

STEP 9

To graph the function, we can plot two points.
When x=0x = 0 (the **initial time**), V(0)=25005000=2500V(0) = 2500 - 500 \cdot 0 = 2500.
So, we have the point (0,2500)(0, 2500).

STEP 10

When x=5x = 5 (after **5 years**), V(5)=25005005=25002500=0V(5) = 2500 - 500 \cdot 5 = 2500 - 2500 = 0.
So, we have the point (5,0)(5, 0).

STEP 11

Now, we can draw a straight line connecting these two points.
This line represents the **book value** of the computer over time.

STEP 12

To find the **book value** after **2** years, we plug x=2x = 2 into our function: V(2)=25005002=25001000=1500V(2) = 2500 - 500 \cdot 2 = 2500 - 1000 = 1500.

STEP 13

So, after **2** years, the computer's **book value** is $1500\$1500.

STEP 14

To find out when the computer will have a **book value** of $500\$500, we set V(x)V(x) equal to 500500 and solve for xx: 500=2500500x500 = 2500 - 500 \cdot x.

STEP 15

Subtract 25002500 from both sides: 2000=500x-2000 = -500 \cdot x.

STEP 16

Divide both sides by 500-500: x=2000500=4x = \frac{-2000}{-500} = 4.

STEP 17

So, the computer will have a **book value** of $500\$500 after **4** years.

STEP 18

(a) V(x)=2500500xV(x) = 2500 - 500 \cdot x (b) 0x50 \le x \le 5 (c) A straight line connecting the points (0,2500)(0, 2500) and (5,0)(5, 0). (d) $1500\$1500 (e) **4** years

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