Question

The dimensions of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis are shown.

The St. Louis Gateway Arch. The left base of the arch is labeled “A equals zero feet.” The top of the arch is labeled “B equals six hundred thirty feet.” The right base of the arch is labeled “C equals zero feet.”
Source: Chris Boswell. 123RF

What type of function could be used to model the height of the Gateway Arch as a function of distance?

(1 point)

exponential growth function

exponential decay function

quadratic function

linear function

Answer 1

Quadratic function.

Reason: the arch is symmetric with a single maximum at the center and height decreasing to zeros at the bases, which matches a parabola (quadratic). Exponential and linear shapes do not fit this symmetric arch.