High School

The water depth in a harbor rises and falls over time. The function [tex]f(t) = 4.1 \sin \left(\frac{\pi}{6} t - \frac{\pi}{3}\right) + 19.7[/tex] models the water depth, in feet, after [tex]t[/tex] hours.

During the first 24 hours, at what times does the water depth reach a maximum?

A. at 5 and 17 hours
B. at 11 and 23 hours
C. at [tex]2, 8, 14[/tex], and 20 hours
D. at [tex]5, 11, 17[/tex], and 23 hours

Answer :

To find when the water depth in the harbor reaches a maximum during the first 24 hours, we look at the function:

[tex]\[ f(t) = 4.1 \sin\left(\frac{\pi}{6} t - \frac{\pi}{3}\right) + 19.7 \][/tex]

This function is sine-based, and the maximum value of the sine function, [tex]\(\sin(x)\)[/tex], is when it equals 1. So we need the expression inside the sine function to result in a value where the sine function equals 1.

Step-by-step Solution:

1. Identify the Condition for Maximum:

[tex]\[
\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{6} t - \frac{\pi}{3}\right) = 1
\][/tex]

This occurs when:

[tex]\[
\frac{\pi}{6} t - \frac{\pi}{3} = \frac{\pi}{2} + 2n\pi
\][/tex]

for any integer [tex]\(n\)[/tex].

2. Solve for [tex]\(t\)[/tex]:

- Add [tex]\(\frac{\pi}{3}\)[/tex] to both sides:

[tex]\[
\frac{\pi}{6} t = \frac{\pi}{2} + \frac{\pi}{3} + 2n\pi
\][/tex]

- Simplify the right side:

[tex]\[
= \frac{\pi}{2} + \frac{2\pi}{6} + 2n\pi = \frac{3\pi + 2\pi}{6} + 2n\pi = \frac{5\pi}{6} + 2n\pi
\][/tex]

- Multiply both sides by [tex]\(\frac{6}{\pi}\)[/tex] to solve for [tex]\(t\)[/tex]:

[tex]\[
t = \frac{6}{\pi} \left(\frac{5\pi}{6} + 2n\pi\right) = 5 + 12n
\][/tex]

3. Find Appropriate Values for [tex]\(t\)[/tex] within the First 24 Hours:

We need [tex]\(t\)[/tex] to satisfy [tex]\(0 \leq t < 24\)[/tex]:

- For [tex]\(n = 0\)[/tex], [tex]\(t = 5 + 12 \times 0 = 5\)[/tex].

- For [tex]\(n = 1\)[/tex], [tex]\(t = 5 + 12 \times 1 = 17\)[/tex].

- For [tex]\(n = 2\)[/tex], [tex]\(t = 5 + 12 \times 2 = 29\)[/tex] (This value is outside the range of the first 24 hours).

This pattern shows that the water depth reaches a maximum at:

- 5 hours
- 17 hours

Therefore, during the first 24 hours, the water depth reaches maximum at 5 and 17 hours.