Question

According to the formula n = 17x² - 65.4x + 302.2, where n is the number of billionaires in the U.S. and x is the number of years after 2000, how many billionaires were estimated in the U.S. in the year 2003?

A. 235.6 billionaires
B. 301 billionaires
C. 310 billionaires
D. 352 billionaires

Answer 1

Using the formula provided, substituting x with 3 for the year 2003, we calculate n = 17(3)^2 - 65.4(3) + 302.2, leading to an estimate of 259 billionaires in the U.S. This result does not match any of the answer choices provided.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the estimated number of billionaires in the U.S. in the year 2003 using the given formula n = 17x² - 65.4x + 302.2, where n represents the number of billionaires and x is the number of years after 2000, we will follow these steps:

1. Substitute x with 3 (since 2003 is 3 years after 2000).
2. Calculate the value of the quadratic expression: 17(3)² - 65.4(3) + 302.2.
3. Simplify the expression to find the estimated number of billionaires.

Let's perform the calculation:

17(3)² - 65.4(3) + 302.2

= 17(9) - 196.2 + 302.2

= 153 - 196.2 + 302.2

= -43.2 + 302.2

= 259

The estimated number of billionaires in the U.S. in 2003 was therefore 259, which is not an exact match to any of the answer choices provided. It seems there may be an error in the available choices or a misunderstanding in the question.