Question

Suppose the polynomial function below represents the power generated by a wind turbine, where x represents the wind speed in meters per second and y represents the kilowatts generated. Interpret f(10)

f(x) = 0.08x^3 + x^2 + x + 0.26
_______________

Does 'interpret' mean to evaluate the function?

Answer 1

Yes, put in 10 for the wind speed and see how much power you get out.
I am puzzled by the values of the coefficients.
putting in 10 I get
80 + 100 + 10 +.26
Now in general force or torque is pretty much proportional to velocity squared and therefore power is proportional to velocity cubed. I would therefore expect the x^3 term to dominate the result. However at 10 the x^2 term is biggest.

Answer 2

Of course as the wind speed goes up, the x^3 term goes up fastest. If they had asked at x = 20, I would have been happy :)

Answer 3

Getting .26 kw out at zero wind speed is also a bit strange.

Answer 4

Ok, thank you! :)