Final answer:
The slope of the equation c = 40t + 150 is 40. In the context of the problem, this means that Avery has to pay an additional $40 every month to remain a member of the gym.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the given problem, the equation c = 40t + 150 represents the total cost of the gym membership over t months. The slope of the equation is 40, which means that for each additional month of membership, the cost increases by $40.
The interpretation of the slope in the context of the problem is that the monthly fee for the gym membership is $40. This means that Avery has to pay an additional $40 every month to remain a member of the gym.