Final answer:
The horizontal asymptote for the function representing Shilpa's average gym cost after x visits is y = $5, since the initial fee becomes negligible as the number of visits grows infinitely large.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves finding the horizontal asymptote of the function representing Shilpa's average cost after x visits to the gym. The formula for this function is given by Average Cost = (Initial fee + (Cost per visit × Number of visits)) / Number of visits. This translates to:
Average Cost = (20 + 5x) / x
As x (the number of visits) approaches infinity, the initial fee of $20 becomes negligible, and the function approaches the cost per visit, which is $5. Therefore, the horizontal asymptote of this function is at y = $5, because as the number of gym visits increases, the average cost per visit approaches $5.