4.How many comparisons are necessary to find the largest and smallest of a set of n distinct elements? Do not assume the answer must involve sorting. It could but does not need to do so. Try to be as efficient as you can.

the given growth  function for the length of the fish (cm) is

f(m) = 5(1.07)m = 5.35m

where 

m = months

at the end of the study, the length is 9.19 cm. the  time for conducting the study is determined as

5.35m = 9.19

m = 1.7178 months

part a.

the study was performed over a time period  of about 1.72 months. therefore  the domain for  plotting the function is 0 < = m < = 1.72.

note:

if growth  continues at this rate for up to m months, then the domain would be 0< =m< =m.

part b.

the growth function is a linear function.

when m=0, f=0.

therefore the initial growth is zero, which represents the y-intercept.

part c.

assume that the growth function is valid for 0< =m< =9.

the average rate of change of the function is the slope of the linear function, which is 5.35 cm/month.