Question

The function
M
(
x
)
=
500
(
1
4
)
x
represents the milligrams of medication remaining in a patient's bloodstream
x
hours after the medication is given.



What do the values
500
and
1
4
represent in relation to the medication?



A.
The
500
is the milligrams of medication in the bloodstream after
1
hour. The
1
4
means the medication remaining each hour is
1
4
the amount of the previous hour.

B.
The
500
is the initial milligrams of medication in the bloodstream. The
1
4
means the medication remaining each hour is
1
4
the amount of the previous hour.

C.
The
500
is the milligrams of medication in the bloodstream after
1
hour. The
1
4
means the medication remaining decreases by
1
4
milligram each hour.

D.
The
500
is the initial milligrams of medication in the bloodstream. The
1
4
means the medication remaining decreases by
1
4
milligram each hour.

Answer 1

B

500 is the initial amount (M(0)=500 mg). The factor (1/4) is the hourly decay factor: each hour the amount left is 1/4 of the previous hour's amount.