Final answer:
To find the linear function that models the number of people inflicted with the common cold as a function of the year, we use the equation of a line. The slope is -205, and the y-intercept is 12,025. Therefore, the linear function is c = -205t + 12,025.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the linear function that models the number of people inflicted with the common cold (c) as a function of the year (t), we will use the formula for the equation of a line: y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept.
Given that the number of people afflicted decreased by 205 each year from 2005 until 2010, we can determine the slope:
Slope (m) = change in y / change in x = -205
Since the year 2005 corresponds to t=0, we can determine the y-intercept:
Y-intercept (b) = 12,025
Therefore, the linear function that models the number of people inflicted with the common cold is c = -205t + 12,025.