Question

The number of children (in thousands) receiving social security for each year from 1988-1955 can be modeled using the following polynomial: N(t)=-3.7478t³+50.9441t²-97.3441t+3216.7194 where t is time in years since 1988. Use your graphing calculator to graph the function and sketch the graph of the function below. Include the window that you used on your calculator. What is the y-intercept and what does this tell you in practical terms? How many children on social security does this model predict in the year 1990? (3186,000 children is the actual number for that year). Do you think this model can be used to predict number of children on social security into the future, such as the year 2020?. Why or why not?

Graph

Window Used

Y-intercept

Interpretation of the y-intercept

Answer 1