The table shows the number of stars awarded in an online math game, based on the number of points earned. What does [tex]\( s(200) = 3 \)[/tex] mean in terms of the problem?

\begin{tabular}{|c|c|}
\hline Points Earned & Stars Awarded \\
\hline 50 & 1 \\
\hline 100 & 2 \\
\hline 200 & 3 \\
\hline 500 & 4 \\
\hline 1000 & 5 \\
\hline 5000 & 6 \\
\hline 9000 & 7 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

A. There are 200 players who have been awarded 3 stars.

B. A player who earns 200 points is awarded 3 stars.

C. A player who earns 3 points is awarded 200 stars.

D. There are 3 players who have earned 200 points.



Answer :

To understand what [tex]\( s(200) = 3 \)[/tex] means in the context of the problem, let's break down the notation and interpret it using the table provided.

The function [tex]\( s(x) \)[/tex] represents the number of stars awarded based on the number of points earned, [tex]\( x \)[/tex]. So, [tex]\( s(200) \)[/tex] denotes the number of stars awarded when 200 points are earned.

Looking at the table:

[tex]\[ \begin{array}{|c|c|} \hline \text{Points Earned} & \text{Stars Awarded} \\ \hline 50 & 1 \\ \hline 100 & 2 \\ \hline 200 & 3 \\ \hline 500 & 4 \\ \hline 1000 & 5 \\ \hline 5000 & 6 \\ \hline 9000 & 7 \\ \hline \end{array} \][/tex]

We see that when a player earns 200 points, they are awarded 3 stars.

Given the options:
A. There are 200 players who have been awarded 3 stars.
B. A player who earns 200 points is awarded 3 stars.
C. A player who earns 3 points is awarded 200 stars.
D. There are 3 players who have earned 200 points.

Option B correctly describes that a player who earns 200 points is awarded 3 stars.

Thus, [tex]\( s(200) = 3 \)[/tex] means:

B. A player who earns 200 points is awarded 3 stars.