Answer:
A first-order polynomial best fits the given situation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement indicates a constant rate of change in a given time interval, so the model that best fits the given situation is a first-order polynomial model, which is a generalized form of a model with direct proportionality. That is:
[tex]T = T_{o} + r \cdot t[/tex]
Where:
[tex]T[/tex] - Current temperature, measured in Fahrenheit degrees.
[tex]T_{o}[/tex] - Initial temperature, measured in Fahrenheit degrees.
[tex]r[/tex] - Temperature rate of change, measured in Fahrenheit degrees per minute.
[tex]t[/tex] - Time, measured in minutes.
The statement describes the temperature rate of change, which is equal to:
[tex]r = \frac{5\,^{\circ}F}{20\,min}[/tex]
[tex]r = \frac{1}{4}\,\frac{^{\circ}F}{min}[/tex]
