Question 376386
Consider that the age, x, of a unicorn in human equivalent years can be given
 by the formula (x) = - 0.0021718x^4 + 0.027326x^3 – 0.3367x^2 + 12.46x + 2.914.
 When a unicorn is 2.5 years old, what is its age in human equivalent years?
 What about when it is 12 years old?
:
Just substitute 2.5 yrs for x in the given formula and do the tedious math:
f(x) = - 0.0021718(2.5^4) + 0.027326(2.5^3) – 0.3367(2.5^2) + 12.46(2.5) + 2.914
f(x) = - 0.0021718(39.0625) + 0.027326(15.625) – 0.3367(6.25) + 12.46(2.5) + 2.914
f(x) = - .085 + .427 – 2.104 + 31.15 + 2.914
f(x) = 32.3 yrs
:
You can check the math, a lot chances to make a mistake here.
:
" What about when it is 12 years old?"
Substitute 12 for x, and do the same thing
:
 Is it similar to a dog’s approximation of multiplying by 7 to get the age in
 human equivalent years? Why or why not?
:
I don't think it is. The dog's age formula is linear