Interpreting Function Notation

The function h(t) represents the height in inches of a plant after t weeks. What does the notation h(4) = 5 mean?

• After 5 weeks, the plant is 4 inches tall

• The plant grows at a rate of 5/4 inch per week

• After 4 weeks, the plant is 5 inches tall

• The plant grows at a rate of 1 inch per week

The function c(m) = 1.45m + 3.50 represents the cost of a taxi for m miles.
What does c(7) represent?

• A cost of $7 to ride the taxi
• The cost to ride 7 miles
• The minimum distance to ride a taxi
• The minimum cost of a taxi

Derek works at Subway making $9.25 an hour.  The function d(x)=9.25x tells us how much money Derek makes after x hours of working.  What is the meaning of d(4)=37?

• After 4 hours of work, Derek makes $37.
• Derek needs $4 more to have $37 total.
• After working for 4 days, Derek makes $37 total.
• After 4 hours of work, Derek now makes $37 an hour instead of $9.25.

Ms. Burke is collecting pencils.  The function p(x)=5x+12 tells us the total amount of pencils Ms. Burke has after collecting for x number of days.  What is the meaning of p(8)=52?

• Ms. Burke starts with 8 pencils and ends with 52.

• After 8 days, Ms. Burke has 52 pencils.

• Ms. Burke starts with 52 pencils and gets 4 more every day.

• Every day, Ms. Burke gets 4 new pencils until she has 52.

Given the function below, what is the independent variable?

• The height of the plant (x-axis)

• The height of the plant (y-axis)

• Number of weeks (x-axis)

• Number of weeks (y-axis)

Given the function below, what is the dependent variable?

• The height of the plant (x-axis)

• The height of the plant (y-axis)

• Number of weeks (x-axis)

• Number of weeks (y-axis)

• The total amount of water poured into the garden by Day 40 is 5 liters.

• The total amount of water poured into the garden on Day 40 is the same as on Day 5.

• The total amount of water poured into the garden by Day 5 is 40 liters.

• The total amount of water poured into the garden is 0.125 liters.

• The tenth game

• The number of points scored in the tenth game

• 10 points

• The number of games where the team scores 10 points

• 22 games; 30 points

• 22 points; 30 games

• The team scored 22 point in the 30th game.

• The team scored 30 points in the 22nd game.

• 22 games; 30 games

• The team scored the same number of points in the 22nd game and the 30th game.

• The team scored 22 point in the 30th game.

• The team scored 30 points in the 22nd game.

Answer explanation

p(22) means the "number of points scored in game 22."

p(30) means "the number of points scored in game 30."

Since there is an equality, we know the number of points scored in those games must be the same.