Model y=ax^b: linearise and find constants from graph/data

Real-world context where y=ax^b or similar power law; requires taking logs to linearise, then using a graph or data points to determine constants a and b.

7 questions · Moderate -0.4

Sort by: Default | Easiest first | Hardest first
Edexcel P3 2018 Specimen Q8
7 marks Moderate -0.8
8. In a controlled experiment, the number of microbes, \(N\), present in a culture \(T\) days after the start of the experiment were counted. \(N\) and \(T\) are expected to satisfy a relationship of the form $$N = a T ^ { b } \quad \text { where } a \text { and } b \text { are constants }$$
  1. Show that this relationship can be expressed in the form $$\log _ { 10 } N = m \log _ { 10 } T + c$$ giving \(m\) and \(c\) in terms of the constants \(a\) and/or \(b\). \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{d8e25332-3a45-43ca-a5b8-0a16f47f13b9-24_1223_1043_895_461} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
    \end{figure} Figure 2 shows the line of best fit for values of \(\log _ { 10 } N\) plotted against values of \(\log _ { 10 } T\)
  2. Use the information provided to estimate the number of microbes present in the culture 3 days after the start of the experiment.
  3. With reference to the model, interpret the value of the constant \(a\).
OCR MEI C2 Q10
12 marks Moderate -0.3
10 A function \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x )\) may be modelled by the equation \(y = a x ^ { b }\).
  1. Show why, if this is so, then plotting \(\log y\) against \(\log x\) will produce a straight line graph. Explain how \(a\) and \(b\) may be determined experimentally from the graph.
  2. Values of \(x\) and \(y\) are given below. By plotting a graph of logy against log \(x\), show that the model above is appropriate for this set of data and find values of \(a\) and \(b\) given that \(a\) is an integer and \(b\) can be written as a fraction with a denominator less than 10 .
    \(x\)23456
    \(y\)4.65.05.35.55.7
  3. Use your formula from part (ii) to estimate the value of \(y\) when \(x = 2.8\).
AQA FP1 2006 January Q6
11 marks Moderate -0.5
6 [Figure 1 and Figure 2, printed on the insert, are provided for use in this question.]
The variables \(x\) and \(y\) are known to be related by an equation of the form $$y = k x ^ { n }$$ where \(k\) and \(n\) are constants.
Experimental evidence has provided the following approximate values:
\(x\)417150300
\(y\)1.85.03050
  1. Complete the table in Figure 1, showing values of \(X\) and \(Y\), where $$X = \log _ { 10 } x \quad \text { and } \quad Y = \log _ { 10 } y$$ Give each value to two decimal places.
  2. Show that if \(y = k x ^ { n }\), then \(X\) and \(Y\) must satisfy an equation of the form $$Y = a X + b$$
  3. Draw on Figure 2 a linear graph relating \(X\) and \(Y\).
  4. Find an estimate for the value of \(n\).
AQA FP1 2007 January Q4
6 marks Moderate -0.5
4 The variables \(x\) and \(y\) are related by an equation of the form $$y = a x ^ { b }$$ where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants.
  1. Using logarithms to base 10 , reduce the relation \(y = a x ^ { b }\) to a linear law connecting \(\log _ { 10 } x\) and \(\log _ { 10 } y\).
  2. The diagram shows the linear graph that results from plotting \(\log _ { 10 } y\) against \(\log _ { 10 } x\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{49539feb-f842-49f4-b809-72e8147072e7-3_711_1223_1503_411} Find the values of \(a\) and \(b\).
OCR MEI C2 2010 June Q9
5 marks Standard +0.3
The points \((2, 6)\) and \((3, 18)\) lie on the curve \(y = ax^n\). Use logarithms to find the values of \(a\) and \(n\), giving your answers correct to 2 decimal places. [5]
AQA AS Paper 1 2018 June Q8
8 marks Moderate -0.3
Maxine measures the pressure, \(P\) kilopascals, and the volume, \(V\) litres, in a fixed quantity of gas. Maxine believes that the pressure and volume are connected by the equation $$P = cV^d$$ where \(c\) and \(d\) are constants. Using four experimental results, Maxine plots \(\log_{10} P\) against \(\log_{10} V\), as shown in the graph below. \includegraphics{figure_8}
  1. Find the value of \(P\) and the value of \(V\) for the data point labelled \(A\) on the graph. [2 marks]
  2. Calculate the value of each of the constants \(c\) and \(d\). [4 marks]
  3. Estimate the pressure of the gas when the volume is \(2\) litres. [2 marks]
SPS SPS SM Pure 2023 June Q15
6 marks Moderate -0.5
The resting metabolic rate, \(R\) ml of oxygen consumed per hour, of a particular species of mammal is modelled by the formula, $$R = aM^b$$ where • \(M\) grams is the mass of the mammal • \(a\) and \(b\) are constants
  1. Show that this relationship can be written in the form $$\log_{10} R = b \log_{10} M + \log_{10} a$$ [2] \includegraphics{figure_3} A student gathers data for \(R\) and \(M\) and plots a graph of \(\log_{10} R\) against \(\log_{10} M\) The graph is a straight line passing through points \((0.7, 1.2)\) and \((1.8, 1.9)\) as shown in Figure 3.
  2. Using this information, find a complete equation for the model. Write your answer in the form $$R = aM^b$$ giving the value of each of \(a\) and \(b\) to 3 significant figures. [3]
  3. With reference to the model, interpret the value of the constant \(a\) [1]