Final answer:
The number of U.S. travelers to other countries can be modeled using a polynomial function. Substituting specific years into the function will give the corresponding number of travelers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The polynomial function given to model the number of U.S. travelers to other countries is:
p(x) = -0.0055x^3 + 0.114x^2 + 1.158x + 42.22
To find the number of U.S. travelers for specific years, we need to substitute the year (x value) into the function.
(a) When x = 1990, substitute 1990 into the function:
p(1990) = -0.0055(1990)^3 + 0.114(1990)^2 + 1.158(1990) + 42.22
(b) When x = 2000, substitute 2000 into the function:
p(2000) = -0.0055(2000)^3 + 0.114(2000)^2 + 1.158(2000) + 42.22
(c) When x = 2009, substitute 2009 into the function:
p(2009) = -0.0055(2009)^3 + 0.114(2009)^2 + 1.158(2009) + 42.22