Final answer:
To find the relationship between the hours Steven babysits and the amount he charges, one would use a linear equation where the number of hours is the independent variable and the amount charged is the dependent variable. The equation typically has a form of y = a + bx, with a being the one-time fee and b the hourly rate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking how to find an equation that represents the relationship between the number of hours Steven babysits (independent variable x) and the amount he charges (dependent variable y). To determine this equation, one would typically use a linear model if the rate is consistent per hour.
For example, if Steven has a one-time fee plus a hourly fee, the equation would have the form y = a + bx where a is the y-intercept representing the one-time fee, and b is the slope representing the hourly rate. The y-intercept (a) is the amount charged when no hours are worked, and the slope (b) is the rate at which the total amount increases per hour worked.
This equation is similar to examples provided such as Svetlana's tutoring, where y = 25 + 15x, and Aaron's Word Processing Service, with y = 31.50 + 32x.