Question

The initial dry weight of Botryococcus braunii, a green microalgae, is 50 mg/L. Under specific conditions, the algae triples every three hours for the first 15 hours of growth.

Which statement regarding the function model is correct?
a) The rule of the function model is y = 50(3)^x for x ≤ 15.
b) The domain of the function model is x ≤ 15.
c) The range of the function model is y ≤ 50(3)^x for x ≤ 15.
d) The function model cannot be graphed.

Answer 1

The function model for the growth of Botryococcus braunii is y = 50(3)^x for x ≤ 15.

Step-by-step explanation:

Option a) The rule of the function model is y = 50(3)^x for x ≤ 15.

This statement is correct. The function model represents the growth of the Botryococcus braunii algae over time. The initial dry weight of the algae is 50 mg/L, and under specific conditions, the algae triples every three hours for the first 15 hours of growth. The function y = 50(3)^x accurately represents this exponential growth, where x represents the time in hours and y represents the dry weight of the algae.