The crown length (as shown below) of first molars in fetuses is related to the postconception age of the tooth as
L(t) = -0.01t² + 0.788t - 7.048,
where L(t) is the crown length, in millimeters, of the molar t weeks after conception.

(a) Find the average rate of growth in crown length during weeks 22 through 28.
(b) Find the instantaneous rate of growth in crown length when the tooth is exactly 22 weeks of age.
(c) Graph the function on [0, 50] by [0, 9]. Does a function that increases and then begins to decrease make sense for this particular application? What do you suppose is happening during the first 11 weeks? Does this function accurately model crown length during those weeks?

Transcribed Image Text:

Distal Crown length Pulp Mesial