Question

A veterinarian records the weights of several puppies over an 8-week period, beginning when each puppy is 12 weeks of age. This equation describes the relationship between the number of weeks, x, after a puppy’s weight is first recorded and the puppy’s weight, y, in pounds. y = 2.5x + 26.5 The number 26.5 in the equation represents the average number of pounds that a puppy weighs at 12 weeks of age. a puppy weighs at 20 weeks of age. a puppy’s weight increases over the 8-week period. a puppy’s weight increases during each of the 8 weeks.

Answer 1

Answer: The number 26.5 in the equation represents the average number of pounds that a puppy weighs at 12 weeks of age.

To find the weight of a puppy at 20 weeks of age, we can substitute x = 20 into the equation:

y = 2.5x + 26.5

y = 2.5(20) + 26.5

y = 50 + 26.5

y = 76.5

Therefore, a puppy weighs approximately 76.5 pounds at 20 weeks of age.

The equation y = 2.5x + 26.5 represents a linear relationship between the number of weeks after a puppy's weight is first recorded and the puppy's weight in pounds. Since the coefficient of x is positive, this means that a puppy's weight increases over time. Specifically, the weight increases by 2.5 pounds for each additional week.

However, the equation does not tell us whether a puppy's weight increases during each of the 8 weeks. To determine this, we would need additional information such as the weights of the puppies at different points in time over the 8-week period.

Explanation: