To determine the correct interpretation of the slope from the information provided, we have to analyze the rate of weight gain of the elephant calf.
The calf is born weighing 282 pounds and gains 2.5 pounds per day for the first year (365 days).
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Weight Gain Calculation:
- If the calf gains 2.5 pounds per day for 365 days, the total weight gain over the first year is: \[ 2.5 \text{ pounds/day} \times 365 \text{ days} = 912.5 \text{ pounds} \]
- Therefore, the weight at the end of the year would be: \[ 282 \text{ pounds} + 912.5 \text{ pounds} \approx 1,194.5 \text{ pounds} \]
- This agrees with the provided information that the calf weighs approximately 1,195 pounds after one year.
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Slope Interpretation:
- The slope of the line, which represents the daily gain, is 2.5 pounds per day.
- This means for every day that passes, the calf's weight increases by 2.5 pounds.
Now, we analyze the options given for interpreting the slope:
- "The calf gains an average of 1,195 pounds over one year of life." – Incorrect, as it refers to the total weight, not the slope (rate of gain).
- "The calf gains 365 pounds in 913 days." – Incorrect, as it misrepresents the relationship; the slope indicates a gain of 2.5 pounds per day.
- "The calf gains 737 pounds over 182 days." – Incorrect, as it also does not accurately describe the slope; it's neither accurate in numbers nor captures the daily gain.
- "The calf gains 5 pounds every 2 days." – Correct, since 2.5 pounds per day means \( 2.5 \times 2 = 5 \) pounds every 2 days.
Thus, the accurate interpretation of the slope is:
The calf gains 5 pounds every 2 days.