Final answer:
The linear equation for the fundraising goal is Total cost = 8w + 12t.
Step-by-step explanation:
To write the linear equation for the fundraising goal, we need to determine the total cost of water bottles and tote bags.
Each water bottle costs $8, so the cost of w water bottles is 8w.
Each tote bag costs $12, so the cost of t tote bags is 12t.
The total cost is the sum of these two amounts, which is:
Total cost = 8w + 12t
This equation represents the fundraising goal.