Question

Trig! .... Word Problem: The value of a 1996 Mustang, in thousands of dollars, is a function of the age a of the car, in years. Let V = f(a) be the function that represents the value of the car when it is a years old. Assume V is a linear function.

Interpret the equation f(3)= 27 in practical terms.

Answer 1

V = f(a)

f(a) is the value of the car in thousands of dollars when it is a-years old.

So what does f(3) mean?

Answer 2

f(3) is the function of f.
This is a tough trig question.

Answer 3

So it would be V=f(3)
..... i think,

Answer 4

Actually, I don't see what this has to do with trig.

Anyway, just mirror my statement about f(a).

Answer 5

Remember, your task is to explain what f(3) = 27 to someone who isn't a maths student, or isn't familiar with maths terms, or just doesn't know what those symbols represent.

Answer 6

but what would the 27 be used for ?

Answer 7

All in good time, take it easy.
We'll interpret it bit-by-bit, but I need you to work with me ^_^

Now, once again...
f(a) represents the value of the car when it is a-years old.

That said, what does f(3) mean?

Answer 8

So f(3) would represent the value of the car?

Answer 9

So if f(3) ... then the value of the car would be 3?

Answer 10

No no no, check my statement about f(a), read it CAREFULLY.

Answer 11

Oh, so the f(3) represents the age of the car?

Answer 12

No... I suggest you simply mirror my exact statement regarding f(a), only replace f(a) and a accordingly.

Answer 13

Ugh, im trying to understand it. =\ ...... Im thinking.

Answer 14

Don't worry, it can be hard to do these things :D

f(a) is the VALUE of the car when it is a years old.

Repeat after me (LOL)

Answer 15

Seee, i was typing that ... but then i doubt myself.
So f(a) is the value of the car when it is a years old.


Therefore, f(3) represents the value of the car when it's at 3 years old.

Answer 16

That's correct :D

Answer 17

f(3) is the value of the car when it's 3 years old.

Answer 18

Now, let's change that to a more lay-man friendly statement,
f(3) is the value of the car at 1999, agreed? :D

Answer 19

Ummm..... agreed? Lol.

f(3) is the value of the car at 1999 ..... Can't be possible. Because if f(a) represents the car when its at "a" years old ... then f(3) can't represents the car when its 1999.

Answer 20

IF the car is a 1996 car which is 3 years old, what year must it be? :/

Answer 21

But fine, if you insist, let's stick to 3-years old.
f(3) is the value of the car when it's 3 years old.

Actually, that's not quite correct yet. f(a) is actually the value of the car *in thousands of dollars* when it's a years old.

Answer 22

If the car was 1996 and its 3 years old .... it must have to be the year of 1996. (I hope Im understanding this question correctly.)

So the correct answer is this:

F(3) represents the value of the car in thousands of dollars when it 3 years old?

Answer 23

Yes, better.
The car is a 1996 model, so if it's 1996, then it's a new model LOL

Anyway, let's stick to the age thing.
f(3) is the value of the car in thousands of dollars when it's 3 years old.

How do you read the = sign?

Answer 24

f(3) "equals" 27?

Answer 25

or ... is?

Answer 26

LOL
"is"
is more 'practical' XD

Answer 27

and finally, read 27 as 27.