Question

a biologists uses the function n(p) to represent the number of seeds that germinate, where p represents the number of seeds planted. which of the following lists could represent a portion of the domain for the biologists function? {..., -150, -100, -50, 0, 50, 100, 150, ...} {0, 20, 40, 60, 80, ...} {0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, ...} {-150, -100, -50, 0, 50, 100, 150}

Explanation:

Step1: Understand domain concept

The domain of a function is the set of all possible input - values. In the context of the number of seeds planted, the number of seeds cannot be negative.

Step2: Analyze each set

• The set $\{\cdots,- 150,-100,-50,0,50,100,150,\cdots\}$ contains negative numbers, so it cannot be the domain as the number of seeds planted ($p$) cannot be negative.
• The set $\{-150,-100,-50,0,50,100,150\}$ contains negative numbers, so it is not valid for the domain.
• The set $\{0,0.25,0.5,0.75,1,1.25,1.5,\cdots\}$ represents non - negative real numbers. But the number of seeds is usually a whole number in this context.
• The set $\{0,20,40,60,80,\cdots\}$ represents non - negative even whole numbers. Since the number of seeds planted is a non - negative whole number, this set could represent a portion of the domain (for example, if the biologist is counting in increments of 20).

Answer:

{0, 20, 40, 60, 80, …}