Determine the initial value and the rate of change in the following description.

Question

Last year, Joshua’s tomato plant reached a maximum height of 2 feet. He is growing another tomato plant this year, and he is tracking its growth. The plant’s height today is 10 inches, and it grows 1.7 inches each day.


(1 point)
The initial value is b=

, and the rate of change is m=

.

Answer 1

To determine the initial value and the rate of change for Joshua's tomato plant:

• The initial value (b) represents the height of the plant when you start tracking its growth. Since the height of the plant today is 10 inches, the initial value is:

  b = 10 inches

• The rate of change (m) is the amount by which the plant's height increases each day. Joshua's plant grows at a rate of 1.7 inches per day, therefore the rate of change is:

  m = 1.7 inches per day

In summary:

• The initial value is b = 10 inches.
• The rate of change is m = 1.7 inches per day.