Answer: To determine if a constant rate can be used to describe the relationship between the number of hours and the gallons of paint used, we need to see if the sprayer uses paint at a consistent rate over time.
From the information given, we know that in 4 hours, the sprayer uses 42 gallons of paint. This means that the rate of paint usage is 42/4 = 10.5 gallons per hour.
If the sprayer uses paint at a constant rate, then we would expect it to use the same amount of paint for each hour of use. However, we don't have any information about how the sprayer uses paint beyond the first 4 hours, so we can't determine if the rate of paint usage is constant over time.
Therefore, we cannot definitively say whether a constant rate can be used to describe the relationship between the number of hours and the gallons of paint used. It is possible that the rate of paint usage changes over time, or that other factors (such as the surface area being painted or the type of paint being used) affect the amount of paint used.
Explanation: