Question:
A ski resort has 18 inches of snow on the ground. The snow is falling at a rate of 4 inches per hour. Which type of functions best models this situation?
A) exponential
B) linear
C) quadratic
D) radical
Answer & Step-by-step explanation:
It is given that a ski resort has 18 inches of snow on the ground. The snow is falling at a rate of 4 inches per hour.
If a function has constant rate of change, then the it is a linear function.
It the given case the rate of change is constant so linear function best model this situation.
The slope intercept form of linear function is
f(x)=mx+b ... (1)
where, m is slope and b is y-intercept or initial value.
Ski resort has 18 inches of snow on the ground it means initial value is 18.
The snow is falling at a rate of 4 inches per hour. So, m=4.
Substitute m=4 and b=18 in equation (1).
f(x)=4x+18
Therefore Linear decreasing function best model this situation and the required function is f(x)=4x+18.
Hope this helps.