SOLUTION: 10. Essay; show all work. Consider that the age, x, of a unicorn in human equivalent years can be given by the formula f(x) = - 0.001218x^4 + 0.082326x^3 – 1.3267x^2 + 12.46x + 4.9

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: 10. Essay; show all work. Consider that the age, x, of a unicorn in human equivalent years can be given by the formula f(x) = - 0.001218x^4 + 0.082326x^3 – 1.3267x^2 + 12.46x + 4.9      Log On


   

Question 499417: 10. Essay; show all work. Consider that the age, x, of a unicorn in human equivalent years can be given by the formula f(x) = - 0.001218x^4 + 0.082326x^3 – 1.3267x^2 + 12.46x + 4.914. When a unicorn is 2.5 years old, what is its age in human equivalent years? What about when it is 12 years old?


Ok wow I need some help please with this monster problem please.

Found 2 solutions by chessace, jim_thompson5910:
Answer by chessace(471) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Just substitute x=2.5 (then x=12) into the formula and crank it out.
It's a straight forward if tedius task.

Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

f%28x%29=-0.001218x%5E4%2B0.082326x%5E3-1.3267x%5E2%2B12.46x%2B4.914 Start with the given equation.


Plug in x=2.5 (basically, replace ALL copies of x with 2.5).


Raise 2.5 to the 4th power to get 39.0625.


Cube 2.5 to get 15.625.


Square 2.5 to get 6.25.


f%282.5%29=-0.047578125%2B0.082326%2815.625%29-1.3267%286.25%29%2B12.46%282.5%29%2B4.914 Multiply -0.001218 and 39.0625 to get -0.047578125.


f%282.5%29=-0.047578125%2B1.28634375-1.3267%286.25%29%2B12.46%282.5%29%2B4.914 Multiply 0.082326 and 15.625 to get 1.28634375.


f%282.5%29=-0.047578125%2B1.28634375-8.291875%2B12.46%282.5%29%2B4.914 Multiply -1.3267 and 6.25 to get -8.291875.


f%282.5%29=-0.047578125%2B1.28634375-8.291875%2B31.15%2B4.914 Multiply 12.46 and 2.5 to get 31.15.


f%282.5%29=29.010890625 Combine like terms.


So the 2.5 yr old unicorn is roughly 29.010890625 years old in human years.


I'll let you do the other part. Let me know if you still need help.