Question

During an experiment, the temperature of a liquid, in degrees Celsius, is given by the function t(m)= -0.2m + 6, where M is the number of minutes since the experiment began

Which graph correctly shows this function?

Answer 1

The correct option is c) that correctly shows the function t(m) = -0.2m + 6.

The graph that correctly shows the function is c). Here's why:

The function is linear, which means it's a straight line.

The y-intercept of the function is 6, which means the line crosses the y-axis at 6 (when m = 0).

The slope of the function is -0.2. This means that for every 1 minute increase in m, the temperature decreases by 0.2 degrees Celsius. So, the line should slant downwards as m increases.

Looking at the graphs:

a) and b) are not linear, so they can't be the correct graph.

d) has the correct y-intercept but the wrong slope. It increases as m increases, whereas the correct function should decrease.

c) has the correct y-intercept and the correct slope. It slants downwards as m increases, which is what the function does.

Therefore, c) is the graph that correctly shows the function t(m) = -0.2m + 6.