Can a Function Describe the Temperature Decrease over Time?

  • Thread starter nobahar
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In summary, the conversation discusses a relationship in which the temperature decreases over time and the possibility of finding a function to fit this pattern. The speaker suggests using integration to find the equation and provides some initial conditions to use. However, they mention that it may not fit their needs and thank pbandjay for their help.
  • #1
nobahar
497
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Hello!
Theres a relationship in which the temperature decreases with time:
It starts at 100 degrees C, then decreases by 10, then 9, then 8, then 7 and so on per minute. Is it possible to come up with a function for this? I tried working back from the second derivitive, which is +1, then integrated it with respect to time:
[tex]\int{1} dx = x + c[/tex]
I figured since it starts by removing 10 from 100, then c = -10.
I then took the integral of this:
[tex]\int{x - 10) dx = \frac{x^2}{2} - 10x + c[/tex]
Can I get this to fit what I need? It goes wrong from here as I don't think this fits what I need.
Thanks in advance.
 
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  • #2
Just because it starts decreasing by ten, doesn't mean it always decreases by ten.

Integrating:
f''(x) = 1
f'(x) = x + c
f(x) = x2/2 + cx + d

And you have that f(0) = 100 and f(1) = 90, so use those to find c and d (or use any two initial conditions that you want).

I tested some values in the final equation that I got:

x - f(x)
0 - 100
1 - 90
2 - 81
3 - 73
4 - 66
 
  • #3
Thanks pbandjay.
 

FAQ: Can a Function Describe the Temperature Decrease over Time?

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