Solving Real Exponential Problems
Let's break down how to tackle these problems step by step. When you see a motorcycle worth ₱150,000 losing 12% of its value each year, you're dealing with exponential decay.
First, identify what type of problem you have - is it growth, decay, or compound interest? Then pick your formula. For decay, use y = a1−r^x where a is your starting value and r is the decay rate.
In our motorcycle example: y = 150,000(1-0.12)^t = 150,000(0.88)^t. The key insight? Each year, the bike keeps 88% of its previous year's value, not loses a fixed amount.
💡 Problem-Solving Hack: Always convert percentages to decimals and remember that "losing 12%" means you keep 88% (1 - 0.12 = 0.88). This mental switch makes exponential problems much clearer.