Problema Solution
Essay; show all work. Consider that the age, x, of a unicorn in human equivalent years can be given by the formula f(x) = - 0.003518x4 + 0.087326x3 – 1.3367x2 + 12.46x + 2.914. When a unicorn is 2.5 years old, what is its age in human equivalent years? What about when it is 12 years old?
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f(x) = -0.003518x^4 + 0.087326x^3 - 1.3367x^2 + 12.46x + 2.914.
Simply substitute the given age (2.5) in the f(x) expression:
f(2.5) = -0.003518(2.5)^4 + 0.087326(2.5)^3 - 1.3367(2.5)^2 + 12.46(2.5) + 2.914, or
f(2.5) = -0.003518(39.0625) + 0.087326(15.625) - 1.3367(6.25) + 12.46(2.5) + 2.914, or
f(2.5) = 26.9 (approximately).
Similarly, f(12) = 37.9.
26.9 / 2.5 = 10.76
37.9 / 12 = 3.16
The age ratios are not even close, so the "dog approximation" of multiplying by a single number does not apply.