The Function Defined By $P ( t ) = 0.0523 t ^ { 2 } - 0.8384 t + 8.817$

Multiple Choice

The function defined by $P ( t ) = 0.0523 t ^ { 2 } - 0.8384 t + 8.817$ approximates the public debt of the United States in trillions of dollars for the years 1997 to 2004. In the function, t = 7 corresponds to The year 1997, t = 8 corresponds to 1998, etc. Evaluate P(11) to the nearest tenth of a trillion dollars And interpret the result in the context of this problem.

A) P(11) = 5.9; the public debt in 2001 was $5.9 trillion dollars.
B) P(11) = 5.3; the public debt in 2001 was $5.3 trillion dollars.
C) P(11) = 62.9; the public debt in 2001 was $62.9 trillion dollars.
D) P(11) = 24.4; the public debt in 2001 was $24.4 trillion dollars.