Question

the water level in kurt’s pond was low, so he started filling it with a hose. the water level, in inches, after t minutes can be modeled by the expression $0.4t^{2}+3t + 14$. what does the number 14 represent? the water level after 3 minutes the water level when kurt finished filling the pond the water level after 0.4 minutes the water level when kurt started filling the pond

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the function

The water level is modeled by \( 0.4t^{2}+3t + 14 \), where \( t \) is the time in minutes.

Step2: Interpret the constant term

When \( t = 0 \) (the start time, when Kurt begins filling the pond), substitute \( t=0 \) into the expression: \( 0.4(0)^{2}+3(0)+14=14 \). So 14 represents the water level at \( t = 0 \), i.e., when Kurt started filling the pond.

Answer:

the water level when Kurt started filling the pond