High School

A truck purchased for [tex]$\$20,000$[/tex] depreciates at a rate of [tex]$11\%$[/tex] annually. What is the value of [tex]$b$[/tex] in the equation [tex]$y = 20000(b)^x$[/tex]?

Answer :

To solve this problem, we're looking for the value of [tex]\( b \)[/tex] in the equation [tex]\( y = 20000(b)^x \)[/tex], and we know the truck depreciates at a rate of 11% annually.

1. Understand Depreciation: Depreciation means that the truck loses value each year. Specifically, the truck loses 11% of its value annually.

2. Find the Remaining Value Percentage: If the truck loses 11% of its value, then it retains 100% - 11% = 89% of its value each year.

3. Convert Percentage to Decimal: The 89% retention of value needs to be expressed as a decimal to be used in the equation. So, 89% becomes 0.89.

4. Determine the Value of [tex]\( b \)[/tex]: In the equation [tex]\( y = 20000(b)^x \)[/tex], [tex]\( b \)[/tex] represents the factor by which the truck's value is multiplied each year. Since the truck retains 89% of its value each year, [tex]\( b \)[/tex] is 0.89.

Therefore, the value of [tex]\( b \)[/tex] in the equation is 0.89.