Answer:
The correct option is;
No, The greater rate of change of Plant A will result in it being 0.9 inches taller in 6 weeks
Step-by-step explanation:
The parameters given are;
Plant A:
Weeks, Height
0, 3
1, 4.8
2, 6.6
3, 8.4
The rate of change of height, H per week, t,
for plant A per week is therefore;
![\dfrac{dH}{dt} = \dfrac{H_n - H_{(n-1)} }{t_n - t_{(n-1)}} = \dfrac{8.4 - 3 }{3 - 0} = \dfrac{5.4}{3} = 1.8 \ inches/week](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=%5Cdfrac%7BdH%7D%7Bdt%7D%20%3D%20%20%5Cdfrac%7BH_n%20-%20H_%7B%28n-1%29%7D%20%7D%7Bt_n%20-%20t_%7B%28n-1%29%7D%7D%20%3D%20%5Cdfrac%7B8.4%20-%203%20%7D%7B3%20-%200%7D%20%3D%20%5Cdfrac%7B5.4%7D%7B3%7D%20%3D%201.8%20%5C%20inches%2Fweek)
Therefore we have;
H = 1.8 × t + 3
At week 6,
H = 3 + 6×1.8 = 13.8 inches
Plant B
Weeks, Height
2, 7.3
3, 8.7
4, 10.1
The rate of change of height, H per week, t,
for plant B per week is given as follows;
![\dfrac{dH}{dt} = \dfrac{H_n - H_{(n-1)} }{t_n - t_{(n-1)}} = \dfrac{10.1 - 7.3 }{4 - 2} = \dfrac{2.8}{2} = 1.4 \ inches/week](https://tex.z-dn.net/?f=%5Cdfrac%7BdH%7D%7Bdt%7D%20%3D%20%20%5Cdfrac%7BH_n%20-%20H_%7B%28n-1%29%7D%20%7D%7Bt_n%20-%20t_%7B%28n-1%29%7D%7D%20%3D%20%5Cdfrac%7B10.1%20-%207.3%20%7D%7B4%20-%202%7D%20%3D%20%5Cdfrac%7B2.8%7D%7B2%7D%20%3D%201.4%20%5C%20inches%2Fweek)
Therefore we have;
When t = 2, H = 7.3 hence, 7.3 = 2 × 1.4 + H₀
Where:
H₀ = H at t = 0
H₀ = 7.3 - 2 × 1.4 = 4.5
At week 6 we have;
H = 4.5 + 6×1.4 = 12.9 inches
Which indicates that Plant A will be 0.9 inches taller than Plant B at week 6.
The correct option is therefore;
No, The greater rate of change of Plant A will result in it being 0.9 inches taller in 6 weeks.