Question

Let y= 4t+2 be a linear function representing the distance from home for an ant t minutes after starting out fom a location near its home. what does the number 2 represent in this function?

Answer 1

The given equation is of the form y = m x + b where m is the slope and b is the y intercept that is value of y when x =0 , or we can say b is the initial value.

In the given equation which is y = 4t+2, on comparing we will get m =4 that is slope is 4 and here slope represents the rate or speed and 2 is the y intercept that is b. And 2 represents the initial position that is, the ant is 2 units from the home initially .

Answer 2

Answer: The initial distance of ant from its home

Step-by-step explanation:

Given: $y= 4t+2$ be a linear function representing the distance from home for an ant t minutes after starting out from a location near its home.

When we put t=0 , the we get

$y=4(0)+2=2$

It implies the initial distance of ant from its home = 2 units.

Hence, the number 2 represents  the initial distance of ant from its home in this function.