Answer: the price of the item 8 years from today is approximately $1475.
Explanation:
The given exponential function to model the future price of the item is:
P(t) = P(0) * (1.026)^t
Here, P(t) represents the price of the item t years from today, and P(0) is the current price of the item.
1. To find the current price, we need to find P(0):
P(0) = 1200 * (1.026)^0
Since any number raised to the power of 0 is 1:
P(0) = 1200 * 1
P(0) = $1200
So, the current price of the item is $1200.
2. To find the price 8 years from today, we need to find P(8):
P(8) = 1200 * (1.026)^8
Using a calculator:
P(8) ≈ 1200 * 1.229057
P(8) ≈ $1474.87
Rounded to the nearest dollar:
P(8) ≈ $1475
So, the price of the item 8 years from today is approximately $1475.