Question

function w gives the weight of a cat, in kilograms, when it is m months old. which statement represents the meaning of the equation w(7) = 4 in this situation?

the cat weighs 7 kilograms when it is 4 months old.

the cat weighs 4 kilograms when it is 7 months old.

the weight of the cat has been 7 kilograms for 4 months.

the cat weighs 4 kilograms when it is 7 years old.

Explanation:

The function \( w(m) \) gives the weight of the cat (in kilograms) when it is \( m \) months old. So \( w(7) = 4 \) means when the input (age in months) is 7, the output (weight in kilograms) is 4. So we analyze each option:

• First option: Says weight 7 at 4 months, but \( w(7)=4 \) means input 7 (months) gives output 4 (kg), so this is wrong.
• Second option: States the cat weighs 4 kilograms when it is 7 months old. This matches \( w(7) = 4 \) (input \( m = 7 \) months, output weight \( w = 4 \) kg).
• Third option: Talks about weight being 7 kg for 4 months, which is not related to \( w(7)=4 \), so wrong.
• Fourth option: Mentions 7 years old, but the function uses months (\( m \)), so this is wrong.

Answer:

B. The cat weighs 4 kilograms when it is 7 months old.