The temperature of water (w∘Cw^\circ\text{C}w∘C) in a kettle t t\,t minutes after it was boiled is recorded in the table below
| ttt | 1 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 20 |
| www | 90 | 78 | 64 | 52 | 46 | 35 | 26 |
The data is coded using the changes of variable x=log10wx = \log_{10} wx=log10w and y=ty = ty=t
The regression line of x x\,x on y y\,y is found to be x=1.98−0.028yx = 1.98 - 0.028yx=1.98−0.028y
Given that the data can be modelled by an equation in the form w=abtw = ab^tw=abt where a a\,a and b b\,b are constants. Find the values of a a\,a and b b\,b to 3 significant figures.
Give an interpretation of the constant a a\,a in this equation.
Explain why this model is not reliable for calculating the temperature after 1 hour.
340 exam-style questions on Edexcel A Level Maths Regression, Correlation and Hypothesis Testing, covering 1.1 Exponential Models, 1.2 Measuring Correlation, and 1.3 Hypothesis Testing for Zero Correlation. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.