Final answer:
To predict when the height of the poplar tree will exceed 17 feet, we can use the function h(t) = 6 + 3(t + 1). By substituting 17 for h(t) and solving for t, we find that the height will exceed 17 feet after approximately 4.67 years.
Step-by-step explanation:
To predict when the height of the poplar tree will exceed 17 feet, we need to find the value of t that satisfies the inequality h(t) > 17. The function that models the height of the poplar tree is h(t) = 6 + 3(t + 1).
We can substitute h(t) with 17 and solve for t:
17 = 6 + 3(t + 1)
17 = 6 + 3t + 3
14 = 3t
t = 4.67
Therefore, the height of the poplar tree will exceed 17 feet after approximately 4.67 years.