Final answer:
The distance equation is y = 3x, and the y-intercept represents the starting point of the hike.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is option d: Distance equation: y = 3x; Y-intercept represents the starting point of the hike.
To write a linear equation to represent the distance Jordan still has to walk after x hours, we can use the equation y = 3x. In this equation, y represents the distance Jordan still has to walk, and x represents the number of hours. The coefficient 3 represents Jordan's rate of 3 miles per hour.
The y-intercept of the equation, which is the value of y when x is 0, represents the starting point of the hike. In this case, the y-intercept represents the distance Jordan has already walked when they start the hike.