Final answer:
The statement that b(14)=170 means that, after 14 weeks, there are 170 textbooks remaining in the stockpile after books have been purchased at a steady rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the scenario, where emathinstruction has a stockpile of 1850 Algebra textbooks being purchased at a rate of 120 books per week, the statement that b(14)=170 would mean that at week 14, the number of books left in the stockpile is 170. This is understood as follows: if books are being sold at a constant rate, then after 14 weeks, the stockpile would have decreased by the number of books sold each week times 14. So, if 120 books are sold each week for 14 weeks, that would amount to 120 books/week × 14 weeks = 1680 books sold. Subtracting this from the initial stockpile of 1850 books leaves us with 1850 - 1680 = 170 books. Therefore, option (a) The number of books at week 14 is 170 books is the correct interpretation of the statement b(14)=170.