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MATHEMATICS - CASE STUDY SOLUTION


The brightness of Delta Cephei

 


B(t) = 4 + 0.35 sin(2πt/5)

 


dB(t)/dt = 0.7 cos(2πt/5)/5

 

The brightness of Delta Cephei increases and decreases according to its brightness function
B(t) = 4 + 0.35sin(2πt/b). The brightness of the star b is 5 days. How fast does its brightness changes at time equals one day?

Substitute the average brightness of the star 5 days into the brightness function,

   B(t) = 4 + 0.35 sin(2πt/5)

Let f(t) = 2πt/5, then

   B(t) = 4 + 0.35 sin(f(t))

Using the to Chain Rule,

   

the rate of changes for the brightness of Delta Cephei is

   

After a day the brightness is