The function f defined by f (t) = 14t + 9 gives the estimated length, in inches, of a vine plant t months after Tavon purchased it. Which of the following is the best interpretation of 9 in this context?

Explanation

Choice D is correct. It's given that the function f defined by f (t) = 14t + 9 gives the estimated length, in inches, of a vine plant t months after Tavon purchased it. For a function defined by an equation of the form f (t) = mt + b, , where m and b are constants, b represents the value of f (0), or the value of f (t) when the value of t is 0. Therefore, for the function defined by f (t) = 14t + 9, 9 represents the value of f (t) when the value of t is 0. This means that 0 months after the vine plant was purchased, the estimated length of the vine plant was 9 inches. Therefore, the best interpretation of 9 in this context is the estimated length of the vine plant was 9 inches when Tavon purchased it.