Question m-t-00

2.1 Nonlinear Functions - Function composition and evaluation
0:00

mt=-0.0274t72+7.3873t7+75.032

The function m gives the predicted body mass mt, in kilograms kg, of a certain animal t days after it was born in a wildlife reserve, where t≤390. Which of the following is the best interpretation of the statement “m330 is approximately equal to 362 ” in this context?

A.

The predicted body mass of the animal was approximately 330 kg 362 days after it was born.

B.

The predicted body mass of the animal was approximately 362 kg 330 days after it was born.

C.

The predicted body mass of the animal was approximately 362 kg 3307 days after it was born.

D.

The predicted body mass of the animal was approximately 3307 kg 362 days after it was born.

m t = - 0.0274 t 7 2 + 7.3873 t 7 + 75.032 The function

Hard-difficulty · SAT Math · Nonlinear Functions — Function composition and evaluation. Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.

Answer explanation

Choice B is correct. In the statement "m(330) is approximately equal to 362 ," the input of the function, 330 , is the value of t , the elapsed time, in days, since the animal was born. The approximate value of the function, 362 , is the predicted body mass, in kilograms, of the animal after that time has elapsed. Therefore, the predicted body mass of the animal was approximately 362 kg 330 days after it was born.

Choice A is incorrect. This would be the best interpretation of the statement "m(362) is approximately equal to 330 ."

Choice C is incorrect. The number 3307 is the number of weeks, not the number of days, after the animal was born.

Choice D is incorrect. This would be the best interpretation of the statement "m(362) is approximately equal to 3307."