Question

function h gives the height of a plant, in centimeters, when it is d days old. which statement best represents the meaning of the equation h(12) = 45? a. the plant grows 45 centimeters in 12 days. b. the plant is 12 centimeters tall after 45 days. c. the plant is 45 centimeters tall when it is 12 days old. d. the plant has been 45 centimeters tall for 12 days.

Explanation:

The function \( h(d) \) gives the height of a plant (in cm) when it is \( d \) days old. For \( h(12) = 45 \), the input \( d = 12 \) represents the number of days old, and the output \( 45 \) represents the height. So this means when the plant is 12 days old, its height is 45 centimeters.

• Option A is incorrect because it implies growth over 12 days, but \( h(12) \) is the height at day 12, not growth.
• Option B swaps the days and height values.
• Option D incorrectly interprets the meaning as the plant being 45 cm tall for 12 days, but \( h(12) \) is about the height at day 12, not the duration of that height.

Answer:

C. The plant is 45 centimeters tall when it is 12 days old.