A computer had 2 gigabytes of data stored on it when Jackie bought it, and she is storing an additional 3.5 gigabytes per year, as shown in the table. Which of these statements is correct about the linear function that represents this situation? Amount of Data Stored on Jackie’s Computer Time (year) 0 1 2 3 4 Gigabytes of Data 2 2 plus 3 point 5 is equal to 5 point 5 5 point 5 plus 3 point 5 is equal to 9 9 plus 3 point 5 is equal to 12 point 5 12 point 5 plus 3 point 5 is equal to 16
Answer
A
The initial value represents the 2 gigabytes per year that Jackie is storing, and the rate of change represents the 3 point 5 gigabytes of data stored on the computer when Jackie bought it.
B
The initial value represents the 2 gigabytes of data stored on the computer when Jackie bought it, and the rate of change represents the 3 point 5 gigabytes per year that Jackie is storing.
C
The initial value represents the 3 point 5 gigabytes per year that Jackie is storing, and the rate of change represents the 2 gigabytes of data stored on the computer when Jackie bought it.
D
The initial value represents the 3 point 5 gigabytes of data stored on the computer when Jackie bought it, and the rate of change represents the 2 gigabytes per year that Jackie is storing.
Explanation
At time 0, Jackie’s computer already has 2 gigabytes, so 2 is the initial value. The amount increases by 3.5 gigabytes each year, making 3.5 the rate of change. The function is therefore y = 2 + 3.5t, which matches the statement that the initial value is 2 gigabytes and the rate is 3.5 gigabytes per year.
AI-written and checked against the verified answer.