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 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 17 | 21 |
| www | 89 | 73 | 59 | 48 | 39 | 30 | 23 |
The data is coded using the changes of variable x=tx = tx=t and y=log10wy = \log_{10} wy=log10w
The regression line of y y\,y on x x\,x is found to be y=1.98−0.029xy = 1.98 - 0.029xy=1.98−0.029x
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.