High School

For an annual rate of change of -31%, find the corresponding growth or decay factor.

A. 0.13
B. 0.69
C. 1.31
D. 1.69

Answer :

Final answer:

The corresponding decay factor for an annual rate of change of -31% is 0.69, which means the quantity decreases to 69% of its previous value each year.

Explanation:

The student's question asks for the corresponding growth or decay factor for an annual rate of change of -31%. To calculate the growth or decay factor from a percentage change, you can use the following equation: Growth or Decay Factor = 1 + (rate of change as a decimal).

In this case, the annual rate of change is -31%, which as a decimal is -0.31. Thus, the growth or decay factor would be:

1 + (-0.31) = 0.69

Therefore, the correct answer is B. 0.69, which represents a decay factor because the percentage change is negative, indicating a decrease.