Write the exponential equation with 2.7% decay rate and a starting value of (.25)

Two language majors, anna and megan, took exams in two languages. anna scored 85 on both exams. megan scored 74 on the first exam and 85 on the second exam. overall, student scores on the first exam had a mean of 82 and a standard deviation of 4, and the second exam scores had a mean of 71 and a standard deviation of 13. a) to qualify for language honors, a major must maintain at least an 85 average across all language courses taken. so far, which of anna and megan qualify? b) which student's overall performance was better?

Ametal rod needs to be 9 feet and 5.5 inches in length. the sections of the poles being used are each 1 foot and 10.5 inches long. how many 1ft 10.5in sections would be needed to complete the 9ft 5.5in metal rod? and how many inches of material will be left?

[10 points, algebra 2]according to my answer key the restrictions are -1 and 4. but why not positive 1?