To find the total number of common and Endler's guppies, we need to add the population of each species at each point in time. We can do this by adding the two polynomials together.
(common guppies) + (Endler's guppies) = (3.1x^2 + 6x + 0.3) + (4.2x^2 - 5.2x + 2)
Combine like terms:
= 3.1x^2 + 4.2x^2 + 6x - 5.2x + 0.3 + 2
= 7.3x^2 + 0.8x + 2.3
So the polynomial that models the total number of common and Endler's guppies is:
7.3x^2 + 0.8x + 2.3
Therefore, the correct answer is option C.
A biologist studied the populations of common guppies and Endler's guppies over a 6-year period. The biologist modeled the population, in tens of thousands, with the following polynomials where x is time, in years.
common guppies: 3.1x^2 + 6x + 0.3
Endler's guppies: 4.2x^2 - 5.2x + 2
What polynomial models the total number of common and endles's guppies?
A. 7.3x^2 + 0.8x + 0.7
B. 7.3^2 - 0.8x + 1.3
C. 7.3x^2 + 0.8x + 1.3
D. 7.2x^2 + 0.8x - 1.3
1 answer