1. **State the problem:** We are given the exponential decay function $$y = 200(0.989)^x + 72$$ which models the temperature of tea over time, where $y$ is the temperature and $x$ is time in minutes. 2. **Understand the formula:** The general form of an exponential decay function is $$y = A b^x + C$$ where: - $A$ is the initial amount minus the asymptote, - $b$ is the decay factor with $0 < b < 1$, - $C$ is the horizontal asymptote (final temperature). 3. **Interpret the parameters:** Here, $A = 200$, $b = 0.989$, and $C = 72$. This means the temperature starts high and decays towards 72°F. 4. **Behavior of the function:** Since $0 < 0.989 < 1$, the term $(0.989)^x$ decreases as $x$ increases, causing $y$ to approach 72 from above. 5. **Graph shape:** The graph starts near $y = 200 + 72 = 272$ when $x=0$ and decreases asymptotically to 72 as $x \to \infty$. 6. **Summary sentence:** The temperature of the tea decreases exponentially over time from about 272°F towards room temperature 72°F, with a slow decay rate of 0.989 per minute.