A biologist studied the populations of common guppies and Endler’s guppies over a 6-year period. The biologist modeled the populations, in tens of thousands, with the following polynomials where x is time, in years. common guppies: 3.1x2 + 6x + 0.3 Endler’s guppies: 4.2x2 – 5.2x + 1 What polynomial models the total number of common and Endler’s guppies?
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The polynomial that models the total number of common and Endler's guppies is obtained by adding the two individual polynomials together:
Total guppies = (3.1x^2 + 6x + 0.3) + (4.2x^2 - 5.2x + 1)
Total guppies = 3.1x^2 + 4.2x^2 + 6x - 5.2x + 0.3 + 1
Total guppies = 7.3x^2 + 0.8x + 1.3
Therefore, the total number of common and Endler's guppies can be modeled by the polynomial 7.3x^2 + 0.8x + 1.3.