My Math Forum Resistance as a function of Temperature
 User Name Remember Me? Password

 Algebra Pre-Algebra and Basic Algebra Math Forum

 October 28th, 2012, 06:07 PM #1 Newbie   Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Resistance as a function of Temperature The resistance R in a certain wire depends linearly on the temperature T. It is found that R= 51 Ohms T=100'C and that R=54 Ohms when T=400'C. Find R as a function of T. I got R(T)=50+(T/100) I'm just not entirely confident this is the right answer. Also, it is asking to graph the function. I just get a straight line and it seems too easy of a question for my instructor.
October 28th, 2012, 06:35 PM   #2
Math Team

Joined: Jul 2011
From: North America, 42nd parallel

Posts: 3,372
Thanks: 233

Re: Resistance as a function of Temperature

Quote:
 Originally Posted by dave daverson The resistance R in a certain wire depends linearly on the temperature T. It is found that R= 51 Ohms T=100'C and that R=54 Ohms when T=400'C. Find R as a function of T. I got R(T)=50+(T/100) I'm just not entirely confident this is the right answer. Also, it is asking to graph the function. I just get a straight line and it seems too easy of a question for my instructor.
They said R depends linearly on T so it is natural to get a straight line graph. R is the dependent variable and so is represented by the vertical axis, this makes T the independent variable and is represented by the horizontal axis. The ordered pairs have form (T, R).

You have two ordered pairs (100, 51) and (400, 54) so you can determine the straight line R = mT + b where m is the slope and b is the R intercept

$m= \frac{R_2 - R_1}{T_2 - T_1}$

$m= \frac{54 -51}{400-100} \ \Rightarrow \ m = \frac{1}{100}$

.....Oh yes, I see now, you did everything correct in my opinion.

 Thread Tools Display Modes Linear Mode

 Similar Threads Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post ChristinaScience Algebra 2 January 25th, 2014 12:23 PM arron1990 Physics 5 March 28th, 2012 05:52 AM doughboy33 Elementary Math 7 August 7th, 2010 05:56 AM oswaler Physics 1 March 19th, 2008 07:36 PM dave daverson Calculus 1 December 31st, 1969 04:00 PM

 Contact - Home - Forums - Cryptocurrency Forum - Top