A white-handed gibbon population, represented by W(x), was recorded at a fourth location, starting in year three.

The graph shows the function w(x), which includes five points. The points are located at (3, 24), (4, 48), (5, 96), (7, 384), (8, 768), and (9, 1536).
Of the functions B(x), M(x), and S(x), which function is the same type as W(x)? Justify your answer and show calculations to support your conclusion.

1 answer

To determine which function is the same type as W(x), we need to analyze the pattern in the given points.

- B(x) represents a linear function. Let's check if the points in W(x) form a straight line. We can calculate the slope between each set of consecutive points:
Slope between (3, 24) and (4, 48):
m1 = (48 - 24) / (4 - 3) = 24/1 = 24
Slope between (4, 48) and (5, 96):
m2 = (96 - 48) / (5 - 4) = 48/1 = 48
Slope between (5, 96) and (7, 384):
m3 = (384 - 96) / (7 - 5) = 288/2 = 144
Slope between (7, 384) and (8, 768):
m4 = (768 - 384) / (8 - 7) = 384/1 = 384
Slope between (8, 768) and (9, 1536):
m5 = (1536 - 768) / (9 - 8) = 768/1 = 768

Since the slopes between consecutive points in W(x) are not constant, W(x) is not a linear function. B(x) cannot be the same type as W(x).

- M(x) represents an exponential function of the form M(x) = a * r^x, where a is the initial value and r is the common ratio.
Let's check if the given points in W(x) follow an exponential pattern:
(3, 24): M(3) = a * r^3 = 24
(4, 48): M(4) = a * r^4 = 48
(5, 96): M(5) = a * r^5 = 96
(7, 384): M(7) = a * r^7 = 384
(8, 768): M(8) = a * r^8 = 768
(9, 1536): M(9) = a * r^9 = 1536

Dividing each equation by the previous one, we get the common ratio:
48/24 = r
96/48 = r
384/96 = r
768/384 = r
1536/768 = r

r = 2 in all cases, indicating that the points in W(x) follow an exponential pattern. Therefore, M(x) is the same type as W(x).

- S(x) represents a quadratic function. let's check if the given points in W(x) follow a quadratic pattern.
To do this, we need to look at the differences between consecutive outputs:
Difference between 24 and 48: 48 - 24 = 24
Difference between 48 and 96: 96 - 48 = 48
Difference between 96 and 384: 384 - 96 = 288
Difference between 384 and 768: 768 - 384 = 384
Difference between 768 and 1536: 1536 - 768 = 768

The differences are not constant, indicating that the points in W(x) do not follow a quadratic pattern. Therefore, S(x) is not the same type as W(x).

In conclusion, the function M(x) is the same type as W(x) because both follow an exponential pattern, where the common ratio is 2.