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AssignmentLong Text

Graphing Rational Functions

Question 17 • (OC27) MATH COLL ALGEBRA-1200710-S1-Degele-VOL7006P

Sound intensity, I, from a spherical source is a function of the distance, r, from the source of the sound. It is represented by the function uppercase I = StartFraction uppercase P Over 4 pi r squared EndFraction where P is the power of the sound. Explain the behavior of the graph of I and what it means in context.

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Answer

Answer:

The function I = P / (4πr^2) has a vertical asymptote at r = 0, meaning the intensity is undefined at the sound source. As the distance r increases, the intensity I decreases toward zero, which is represented by a horizontal asymptote at I = 0. In context, this means that as you move further away from a sound source, the sound intensity drops rapidly and eventually becomes nearly silent.

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