To determine the correct exponential equation from the options given, we need to analyze the data points provided: \( (0, 24) \), \( (1, 14) \), and \( (2, 4) \).
Exponential functions generally have the form:
\[ y = a(b^x) \]
where \( a \) is the initial value (the value of \( y \) when \( x = 0 \)) and \( b \) is the base of the exponential decay or growth.
Step 1: Identify the initial value \( a \)
From the point \( (0, 24) \), we see that when \( x = 0 \), \( y = 24 \). Therefore, \( a = 24 \).
Step 2: Calculate the ratio between successive \( y \) values
Next, let's find the common ratio between the points.
-
From \( y = 24 \) (when \( x = 0 \)) to \( y = 14 \) (when \( x = 1 \)): \[ \text{Ratio} = \frac{14}{24} = \frac{7}{12} \]
-
From \( y = 14 \) (when \( x = 1 \)) to \( y = 4 \) (when \( x = 2 \)): \[ \text{Ratio} = \frac{4}{14} = \frac{2}{7} \]
Step 3: Analyze options given
Now, let’s consider the options provided:
- \( y = 49 \left(\frac{2}{7}\right)^x \)
- \( y = 49 \left(\frac{7}{2}\right)^x \)
- \( y = 7 \left(\frac{2}{7}\right)^x \)
Step 4: Testing the options
-
Testing Option 1: \( y = 49 \left(\frac{2}{7}\right)^x \)
- At \( x = 0 \):
- \( y = 49 \left(\frac{2}{7}\right)^0 = 49 \) (not correct, as it should be 24)
- At \( x = 1 \):
- \( y = 49 \left(\frac{2}{7}\right)^1 = 49 \cdot \frac{2}{7} = 14 \)
- At \( x = 2 \):
- \( y = 49 \left(\frac{2}{7}\right)^2 = 49 \cdot \frac{4}{49} = 4 \)
- At \( x = 0 \):
-
Testing Option 2: \( y = 49 \left(\frac{7}{2}\right)^x \)
- This will give increasing values which do not match the data (should be decreasing).
-
Testing Option 3: \( y = 7 \left(\frac{2}{7}\right)^x \)
- At \( x = 0 \):
- \( y = 7 \left(\frac{2}{7}\right)^0 = 7 \) (not correct)
- It does not match the required points.
- At \( x = 0 \):
Conclusion
After testing the equations, we find that Option 1: \( y = 49(\frac{2}{7})^x \) is the only one that correctly gives the outputs \( y = 24 \), \( y = 14 \), and \( y = 4 \) for the respective values of \( x = 0, 1, 2 \).
Thus, the correct exponential equation for the graph is:
Answer: \( y = 49\left(\frac{2}{7}\right)^x \).