1. **State the problem:** We are given the volume of water in a tank as a function of time: $$y = 1.15x^3 - 0.1x^2 + 2$$ where $x$ is the number of minutes after the faucet is turned on. We need to find the y-intercept of the graph and interpret its meaning in this context. 2. **Recall the y-intercept definition:** The y-intercept is the value of $y$ when $x=0$. 3. **Calculate the y-intercept:** Substitute $x=0$ into the function: $$y = 1.15(0)^3 - 0.1(0)^2 + 2 = 0 - 0 + 2 = 2$$ 4. **Interpretation:** The y-intercept $y=2$ represents the volume of water in the tank at the moment the faucet is turned on (time zero). This means the tank already contains 2 units of volume before filling starts. **Final answer:** The y-intercept is 2. It represents the initial volume of water in the tank before filling begins.