Answer:
[tex]t=7.4years[/tex]
Step-by-step explanation:
Let's clear t from the equation [tex]N=16.10^{0.15t}[/tex]. In order to clear t, we have to apply [tex]log_{10} (x)[/tex] in both side of the equations.
[tex]log_{10}N=log_{10}(16.10)^{0.15t}[/tex]
By using properties of the logarithm
[tex]log_{10} (a.b)}= log_{10}a+log_{10}b[/tex]
We obtain:
[tex]log_{10}N=log_{10}(16)+log_{10} (10^{0.15t})[/tex]
Ordering using the logarithm property [tex]log_{10}a^{n} =nlog_{10}a[/tex] and [tex]log_{10} 10=1[/tex]
[tex]log_{10}N=log_{10}(16)+0.15tlog_{10}10[/tex]
[tex]log_{10}N=log_{10}(16)+0.15t[/tex]
Clearing t
[tex]t=\frac{log_{10}N-log_{10}(16)}{0.15}[/tex] using the logarith property [tex]log_{10}a-log_{10}b=log_{10}\frac{a}{b}[/tex]
we obtain:
[tex]t=\frac{log_{10}\frac{N}{16} }{0.15}[/tex]
The number of Elm trees is N = 204
Solving
[tex]t=\frac{log_{10}\frac{204}{16} }{0.15}\\t=\frac{log_{10}12.75}{0.15}=7.370[/tex]
Round to the nearest tenths place [tex]t=7.4years[/tex]
