Step 1 :The number of visitors to a website is given by a function of time, \(P(t)\). To find out when the number of visitors is increasing or decreasing, we need to find the derivative of this function, \(P'(t)\), and find out when it is positive or negative.
Step 2 :The derivative of a function tells us the rate of change of the function. If the derivative is positive, the function is increasing. If the derivative is negative, the function is decreasing.
Step 3 :So, we need to find the derivative of \(P(t)\), set it equal to zero to find the critical points, and then determine the sign of the derivative on the intervals determined by the critical points.
Step 4 :\(t = t\)
Step 5 :\(P = (t - 87)*exp(0.02*t) + 119\)
Step 6 :\(P_prime = 0.02*(t - 87)*exp(0.02*t) + exp(0.02*t)\)
Step 7 :The critical point is at \(t = 37\). The derivative is negative on the interval \((1, 37)\) and positive on the interval \((37, 52)\). This means that the number of visitors is decreasing on the interval \((1, 37)\) and increasing on the interval \((37, 52)\).
Step 8 :Final Answer: \(\boxed{\text{a) The number of visitors is decreasing over the interval }(1,37)}\)
Step 9 :Final Answer: \(\boxed{\text{b) The number of visitors is increasing over the interval }(37,52)}\)