Use Problem Solving Skills to answer the following question.
The quantity, q, of bananas sold at McGowan Grocery depends on the age, a, of the bananas. The age is given in days. The quantity of bananas sold is described by the function:
q = -3a2 + 14a + 5
When bananas are 4 days old, how many bananas will McGowan Grocery sell?
1. Identify the Problem
- Problem: When bananas are 4 days old, how many bananas will McGowan Grocery sell?
- Unit: Bananas
2. Identify What You Know
- The quantity of bananas sold depend on the age of the bananas.
- q: quantity of bananas
- a: age of the bananas
- q = -3a2 + 14a + 5
3. Make a Plan
The function, q = -3a2 + 14a + 5, describes the relationship between the age and sales of bananas. Whenever a = 4, q is the number of bananas sold.
Plan: q = -3(4)2 + 14(4) + 5
4. Carry out the Plan
Plan: q = -3(4)2 + 14(4) + 5
q= -3(4)2 + 14(4) + 5
q= -3(16) + 56 + 5
q= -48 + 56 + 5
q= 13
13 bananas are sold when they are 4 days old.
5. Verify That the Answer Makes Sense
Double check the math:
q= -3(4)2 + 14(4) + 5
q= -3(16) + 56 + 5
q= -48 + 56 + 5
q= 13
Does the answer respond to the question? Yes, 13 bananas.