Suppose the polynomial function below represents the power generated by a wind turbine, where x represents the wind speed in meters per second and y represents the kilowatts generated. Interpret f(10)

Question

Suppose the polynomial function below represents the power generated by a wind turbine, where x represents the wind speed in meters per second and y represents the kilowatts generated. Interpret f(10)

f(x) = 0.08x^3 + x^2 + x + 0.26
_______________

Does 'interpret' mean to evaluate the function?

Answer 1

Yes, put in 10 for the wind speed and see how much power you get out.

I am puzzled by the values of the coefficients.
putting in 10 I get
80 + 100 + 10 +.26
Now in general force or torque is pretty much proportional to velocity squared and therefore power is proportional to velocity cubed. I would therefore expect the x^3 term to dominate the result. However at 10 the x^2 term is biggest.

Answer 2

Of course as the wind speed goes up, the x^3 term goes up fastest. If they had asked at x = 20, I would have been happy :)

Answer 3

Getting .26 kw out at zero wind speed is also a bit strange.

Answer 4

Ok, thank you! :)

Answer 5

Yes, in this context, "interpret" means to evaluate the function by substituting the given value into the function and finding the resulting value. In other words, interpreting f(10) involves finding the value of the function when x is equal to 10.