Question

During the period 1998-2002, the number A (in millions) of books for adults and the number K (in millions) of books for kids sold can be modeled by
A = 9.5t³ - 58t² + 66t + 500 and K = -15t² + 64t + 360

Where t is the number of years since 1998.

Write and equation that gives the total number (in millions) of books for adults and kids sold as a function of the number of years since 1998.

Hint: Add the two polynomials together.

About how many books were sold in 2002?

Hint: Replace t with ____ years and solve to find the answer!

Answer 1

If you add the two polynomials together, you will have:
$C(t) = 9.5t^3-73t^2+130t+860$

To find the number of books sold in 2002, we just have to input 4 for t because it is 4 years after 1998.

If done correctly, you will have 820 million books sold.