College

If [tex]$f(x)$[/tex] is the height, in cm, of a sunflower plant that is [tex]$x$[/tex] days old, which of the following statements best describes the meaning of [tex]$f(60) = 210$[/tex]?

A. The height of the sunflower plant is 60 cm when it is 210 days old.
B. The height of the sunflower plant is 210 cm when it is 60 days old.
C. The height of the sunflower plant is 210 cm when it is 3.5 days old.
D. The height of the sunflower plant is 60 cm when it is 3.5 days old.

Answer :

To understand the meaning of [tex]\( f(60) = 210 \)[/tex], let's break down the function [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex]. In this context:

- [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] represents the height of a sunflower plant in centimeters.
- [tex]\( x \)[/tex] represents the age of the sunflower plant in days.

So, [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] tells us the height of the sunflower plant when the plant is [tex]\( x \)[/tex] days old.

Given the expression [tex]\( f(60) = 210 \)[/tex], it means that when the plant is 60 days old, its height is 210 cm.

Now, let’s examine each of the given options to find which one correctly describes [tex]\( f(60) = 210 \)[/tex]:

1. The height of the sunflower plant is 60 cm when it is 210 days old.
- This option confuses the height and the age. It incorrectly states the height and the age in reverse order.

2. The height of the sunflower plant is 210 cm when it is 60 days old.
- This option properly states that the sunflower plant is 210 cm tall when it is 60 days old. This is the accurate interpretation.

3. The height of the sunflower plant is 210 cm when it is 3.5 days old.
- This option incorrectly interprets the days. The given [tex]\( x \)[/tex] value is 60 days, not 3.5 days.

4. The height of the sunflower plant is 60 cm when it is 3.5 days old.
- This option does not make sense either, as it mixes the height and days in a way that is not represented in [tex]\( f(60) = 210 \)[/tex].

Therefore, the correct statement is:
- The height of the sunflower plant is 210 cm when it is 60 days old.