Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics (5733)Algebra and FunctionsMedium

A chef is creating a new recipe. The amount of sugar (S) in grams needed for a cake is a function of the amount of flour (F) in grams, given by S(F) = 0.6F - 20. If the chef uses 300 grams of flour, how much sugar is needed?

  1. A180 grams
  2. B220 grams
  3. C200 grams
  4. D160 grams
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D. 160 grams

To find the amount of sugar needed, substitute F = 300 into the function S(F) = 0.6F - 20. So, S(300) = 0.6(300) - 20 = 180 - 20 = 160 grams.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. This is 0.6 * 300, forgetting to subtract 20.
  • B. Incorrect calculation or misunderstanding of the function.
  • C. Incorrect calculation or misunderstanding of the function.

Evaluating Functions

The process of substituting a specific input value into a function's expression to determine its corresponding output value.

  • Replace every instance of the independent variable with the given input value.
  • Follow the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS) to simplify the expression.
  • The result is the function's output for that specific input.

Memory trick: Plug it in, work it out!

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