52659512
The temperature during a clear winter day in a mountain town is modeled by \(T(t)=-15\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{12}t\right)+30\), where \(0\le t\le 24\), \(t\) is the number of hours after midnight, and \(T(t)\) is measured in degrees Fahrenheit.
Find the points on the graph where the lowest temperature occurs. Then find the difference between the highest and lowest temperatures that day.
Hints
- What are the maximum and minimum values of cosine?
- How does the negative coefficient affect where the temperature is highest and lowest?
- Include the endpoints of the \(24\)-hour interval.
- Subtract the minimum temperature from the maximum temperature.
Solution
1. The cosine function ranges from \(-1\) to \(1\). Because its coefficient is \(-15\), \(T(t)\) is smallest when \(\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{12}t\right)=1\).
2. On \([0,24]\), this occurs at \(t=0\) and \(t=24\). Therefore, \(T(0)=T(24)=-15+30=15\).
3. The lowest-temperature points are \((0,15)\) and \((24,15)\).
4. The highest temperature occurs when the cosine is \(-1\), at \(t=12\): \(T(12)=15+30=45\).
5. The temperature difference is \(45-15=30\,^{\circ}\text{F}\).
Answer
The lowest temperature occurs at \((0,15)\) and \((24,15)\). The difference between the highest and lowest temperatures is \(30\,^{\circ}\text{F}\).
