Final answer:
Using the linear equation y = -3x + 15, we substitute x with 3 to find that the hiker has 6 miles remaining to reach the goal after 3 hours of hiking.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the number of miles a hiker has left to reach their goal after hiking for 3 hours, we use the given linear function y = -3x + 15. Here, x represents the hours spent hiking and y represents the miles remaining. Substituting x with 3 (since the hiker has hiked for 3 hours), the equation becomes:
y = -3(3) + 15
Simplifying the right-hand side, we get:
y = -9 + 15
Then, adding the numbers together:
y = 6
Therefore, after hiking for exactly 3 hours, the hiker has 6 miles left to reach their goal.