Mathematical Modeling
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ACT Math › Mathematical Modeling
A savings account earns simple interest according to the equation $A = 1000 + 50t$, where $A$ is the amount in dollars and $t$ is the number of years. How much interest is earned after 5 years?
$250
$1000
$1250
$1250
Explanation
This simple interest model A = 1000 + 50t shows account balance A where t is years. The y-intercept 1000 is the initial principal, and slope 50 is the annual interest earned. After 5 years, total balance is A = 1000 + 50(5) = 1250. The interest earned is the difference: 1250 - 1000 = $$\250$$. Choice A confuses total balance with interest earned.
A plant grows at a constant rate of 2 cm per day. If the plant is initially 5 cm tall, which equation models the height $h$ of the plant after $d$ days?
$h = 2d + 5$
$h = 2 + 5d$
$h = 5 + 2d$
$h = 5d + 2$
Explanation
This is a linear growth model where h represents height and d represents days. The slope of 2 means the plant grows 2 cm per day. The y-intercept of 5 represents the initial height when d = 0 days. The equation h = 5 + 2d correctly models this relationship where current height equals initial height plus growth over time. Choice D incorrectly reverses the coefficients, making the initial height 2 cm and growth rate 5 cm per day.
A phone plan charges $$\25$$ per month plus $$\0.10$$ per text message. Which variable represents the number of text messages in the equation $y = 0.10x + 25$?
25
$x$
0.10
$y$
Explanation
In the phone plan equation y = 0.10x + 25, we need to identify what each variable represents based on the context. The equation models total monthly cost where y represents the total cost, 25 represents the fixed monthly fee, and 0.10 represents the cost per text message. Therefore, x must represent the number of text messages sent, since it's the variable being multiplied by the per-text rate. The structure follows the pattern: total cost = (rate per text)(number of texts) + fixed fee.
A train travels at a constant speed of 80 kilometers per hour. How far will it travel in 3.5 hours?
300 kilometers
320 kilometers
280 kilometers
260 kilometers
Explanation
This is a distance calculation using constant speed where distance = speed × time. The train travels at 80 kilometers per hour for 3.5 hours. Using the relationship: distance = speed × time, we get 80 km/hour × 3.5 hours = 280 kilometers. This represents the total distance covered when traveling at constant speed for the given time duration. The calculation involves multiplying the rate by the time period.
A hot air balloon is descending at a rate of 5 meters per minute. If its initial altitude is 200 meters, what equation models the altitude $y$ after $x$ minutes?
$y = 200 - x$
$y = 200 + 5x$
$y = 5x + 200$
$y = 200 - 5x$
Explanation
This is a linear altitude model where y represents altitude and x represents time in minutes. The slope of -5 means the altitude decreases by 5 meters per minute (negative because it's descending). The y-intercept of 200 represents the initial altitude when x = 0 minutes. The equation y = 200 - 5x correctly models this decreasing relationship. Choice B incorrectly uses a positive slope, which would represent ascending rather than descending. Choice A uses the wrong rate of change.
The cost of manufacturing a product is given by the equation $C = 500 + 3x$, where $C$ is the total cost in dollars and $x$ is the number of units produced. What is the fixed cost in this context?
$0
$3
$500
$503
Explanation
This cost model $C = 500 + 3x$ represents manufacturing costs where $C$ is total cost and $x$ is units produced. The y-intercept $500$ represents the fixed cost - costs that remain constant regardless of production level (like rent, equipment, insurance). The slope $3$ represents variable cost per unit. Choice B confuses the variable cost with fixed cost.
A plant is 6 inches tall when it is purchased and grows at a constant rate of 1.5 inches per week. Let $x$ be the number of weeks since purchase and let $y$ be the plant's height (in inches). Which equation best models the relationship?
$y = 1.5x + 6$
$y = 6 - 1.5x$
$y = 6x + 1.5$
$y = 1.5 - 6x$
Explanation
This is a linear growth model where y is plant height in inches and x is weeks since purchase. The plant starts at 6 inches (when x = 0), making 6 the y-intercept. The plant grows 1.5 inches per week, making 1.5 the slope. The equation is y = 1.5x + 6. Choice A incorrectly reverses the slope and intercept, putting 6 as the growth rate and 1.5 as the starting height. Choices C and D use negative slopes, which would mean the plant is shrinking.
A candle burns down at a constant rate. It is 18 cm tall at time $x=0$ hours and 12 cm tall at time $x=3$ hours. If $x$ is time (hours) and $y$ is height (cm), which equation best models the candle's height over time?
$y = -6x + 18$
$y = 2x + 18$
$y = 2x - 18$
$y = -2x + 18$
Explanation
This models a candle burning at constant rate where y is height in cm and x is time in hours. At x = 0, the candle is 18 cm tall (y-intercept = 18). At x = 3, it's 12 cm tall. The candle lost 6 cm in 3 hours, so the rate is -2 cm per hour (slope = -2). The equation is y = -2x + 18. Choice A uses positive slope, meaning the candle would grow taller. Choice C has slope -6, which would mean the candle loses 6 cm per hour instead of per 3 hours.
A runner's distance from the starting line increases at a constant rate. The relationship is modeled by $y = 0.25x$, where $x$ is time in seconds and $y$ is distance in meters. What is the meaning of the slope in this context?
The runner runs 0.25 meters in total.
The runner runs 4 seconds per meter.
The runner starts 0.25 meters ahead of the starting line.
The runner runs 0.25 meters per second.
Explanation
The model y = 0.25x represents distance (y in meters) versus time (x in seconds) for a runner. The slope 0.25 means the runner's distance increases by 0.25 meters for each second that passes - this is the runner's speed of 0.25 meters per second. There is no y-intercept term, meaning the runner starts at the starting line (0 meters when x = 0). Choice C incorrectly inverts the units to seconds per meter. Choice A misinterprets the slope as a starting position.
A gym charges a one-time sign-up fee and then a monthly fee. The total cost after $x$ months is $y = 30x + 80$, where $x$ is months and $y$ is total cost (dollars).
What is the meaning of the slope in this context?
The gym charges a sign-up fee of $\$80$ each month.
The gym charges $\$80$ each month.
The gym charges a sign-up fee of $\$30$.
The gym charges $\$30$ per month.
Explanation
In the linear model y = 30x + 80 for gym costs, y is total cost and x is months. The slope (coefficient of x) is 30, which represents the rate of change - the cost increases by $30 for each additional month. This is the monthly fee. The y-intercept 80 is the initial cost when x = 0, representing the one-time sign-up fee. Choice B incorrectly identifies the slope as the sign-up fee instead of recognizing it as the monthly rate.