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With so little data there could be many answers, but here’s a simple method using a system of equations. The relation between temperature T and time t is not linear because the temperature rises then falls. We are going to create a quadratic function which has 3 coefficients a, b, c. We have three pairs of data so we use these to find the 3 coefficients using 3 simultaneous equations.

T=at²+bt+c.

When t=2, T=5:

(1) 4a+2b+c=5;

When t=4, T=8:

(2) 16a+4b+c=8;

When t=6, T=7:

(3) 36a+6b+c=7.

Subtract (1) from (2) to eliminate c:

(4) 12a+2b=3;

Subtract (1) from (3):

(5) 32a+4b=2.

So now we have 2 equations and 2 unknowns.

Double (4): 24a+4b=6 and subtract this from (5):

8a=-4, a=-½. So from (4): -6+2b=3, 2b=9, b=9/2.

Substitute a=-½, b=9/2 in  any of the original equations. Let’s pick (1):

-2+9+c=5, c=5+2-9=-2.

So T=-t²/2+9t/2-2 is the formula.

by Top Rated User (1.1m points)

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