Question

The function f left parenthesis x right parenthesis equals negative 75 x plus 1,200 represents the value of your cell phone x months after you purchase it. Identify and interpret the initial value of the function.

Answer 1

The initial value of the function is the y-intercept, which is the value of the phone when x = 0 (i.e., at the time of purchase). In this case, the y-intercept is the value when x = 0 in the function f(x) = -75x + 1200:

f(0) = -75(0) + 1200
= 1200

Therefore, the initial value of the function is $1200, which is the cost of the cell phone when it is purchased.