Final answer:
The equation that represents the total amount spent, y, as a function of how many tickets are purchased, x, at the Pasadena Rodeo carnival is y = 9 + 2x. This includes the initial entry fee of $9.00 and the cost of $2.00 per ride ticket.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student asked to write an equation that represents the total amount spent, y, as a function of how many tickets are purchased, x, at the Pasadena Rodeo carnival.
To find the total cost, we must account for the initial entry fee and the cost of each ticket. The entry fee is a fixed amount of $9.00 and does not change with the number of tickets bought. Each ride requires one ticket, and each ticket costs $2.00. So, the total amount spent y would be the sum of the entry fee and the product of the number of tickets x and the cost per ticket.
The equation representing the total amount spent can thus be written as:
y = 9 + 2x
This equation indicates that for every additional ticket purchased, the total cost increases by $2.