A company is studying the cost of a new project. The total cost C(x) is given by the function C(x) = 1000 + 500x + 20x^2, where x is the number of units produced. Which of the following statements about the cost is true?

Core Concept

This question tests the student's understanding of rates of change and the second derivative. The cost is increasing at an increasing rate, as the second derivative of C(x) is positive. Option A is incorrect because the cost is increasing, but at an increasing rate, not a decreasing rate. Option C is incorrect because the cost is increasing, not decreasing. Option D is incorrect because the cost is increasing, not decreasing.