Question

If f(x) is the total number of bacteria present in a sample after x hours, which of the following statements best describes the meaning of f(2) = 12? (1 point) The total number of bacteria present in the sample after 12 hours is 2. The total number of bacteria present in the sample after 6 hours is 2. The total number of bacteria present in the sample after 2 hours is 12. The total number of bacteria present in the sample after 6 hours is 12.

Answer 1

The total number of bacteria present in the sample after 2 hours is 12.

Explanation:

In the function f(2) = 12, 2 represents x, and 12 represents the output when x is equal to 2.

In the context of this problem, this means that f(2) = 12 represents how in 2 hours, there were 12 bacteria present in the sample.

Answer 2

The total number of bacteria present in the sample after 2 hours is 12.

Explanation:

f(x) is the total number of bacteria, while x is the number of hours. We are given:

f(2)=12

2 is x (the input) and 12 is f(x) (the output).

Since x=2 and x=number of hours, 2 describes the number of hours.

Since f(x)= 12 and f(x)= number of bacteria, 12 describes the number of bacteria.

Therefore, after 2 hours, the total number of bacteria present is 12.