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Answer:
k ≈ -0.06729
Step-by-step explanation:
The initial temperature difference is 85 -36 = 49 degrees. After 5 minutes, the temperature difference is 71 -36 = 35 degrees. The constant k is the natural log of the ratio of these temperature differences, divided by the time unit.
k = ln(35/49)/5 ≈ -0.06729
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The equation for the temperature T of the can in the refrigerator is ...
T = 49e^(-0.06729t) +36
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<em>Additional comment</em>
Be careful with the sign. If you're filling in k in e^(-kt), then the sign of k will be positive. Above, we have taken the form of the exponential term to be e^(kt), so k is negative.
