Final answer:
The initial number of box fans when x = 0 is 144.
So, the correct answer is option 4) 144 box fans.
Step-by-step explanation:
The function f(x) = -12x + 144 represents the number of box fans in a general store. In this function, x represents the number of weeks after restocking, and 0 ≤ x ≤ 12. To find the initial number of box fans when x = 0, we substitute x = 0 into the function:
f(0) = -12(0) + 144
f(0) = 0 + 144
f(0) = 144
Therefore, the initial number of box fans when x = 0 is 144. So, the correct answer is option 4) 144 box fans.