Final answer:
The height of the candle after 6 hours is 21.0 cm.
Step-by-step explanation:
In this question, we are given a function with a slope of -0.4. We are asked to find the height of the candle after 6 hours, given that the height after 12 hours is 20.2 cm.
To find the height after 6 hours, we can use the formula for a linear function: y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept.
Substituting the given values, we have y = -0.4(6) + b, and when y = 20.2, we can solve for b.
Since y = -0.4(12) + b = 20.2, we can solve for b to find that b = 24.6.
Now, we can substitute the values of m = -0.4, x = 6, and b = 24.6 into the linear equation to find the height after 6 hours:
y = -0.4(6) + 24.6 = 21.0 cm.