Question

Let f(t) represent the temperature of a turkey baking in an oven as a function of time (t) in the oven (in minutes). This means time (t) is the independent variable and temperature of the turkey f(t) is the dependent variable. The turkey was in the oven for 360 minutes and then removed. Note that when something is baked in an oven, the temperature of the oven stays constant. The graph of the function is shown below.

Describe the rate of change pattern over each interval of the graph listed below.
a. 0 < t < 345
b. 345 < t < 360
c. t > 360

Explain what is happening in each interval of your graph in terms of the turkey and its temperature, using complete sentences.

Let's say that the turkey sat on the counter for an additional hour (beyond the 390 minutes) and its temperature cooled to 80 degrees. Write that value in function notation.

Answer 1

a. When the time is greater than 0, but less than 345 minutes, the temperature of the turkey is increasing at roughly a linear rate.

b. When the time ranges from 345 to 360 minutes, the temperature of the turkey stays constant, at 165 degrees.

c. When the time is greater than 360 minutes, the temperature of the turkey decreases.