Final answer:
The question is about formulating a linear equation for the cost to rent a bike, which is a basic algebraic concept. The total cost (M) is represented by the equation M = 3 + 2y, where y is the number of hours the bike is rented, with a fixed cost of $3 and a variable cost of $2 per hour.
Step-by-step explanation:
A bike rental company has a pricing model where the total cost of renting a bike (represented by M) depends on a fixed charge plus a variable charge based on the number of hours the bike is rented. The fixed charge is $3 (represented by b), and the variable charge is $2 per hour (which is multiplied by y, the number of hours the bike is rented). To express the total cost M as an equation, you would use the formula M = b + 2y. In this scenario, b is always $3, so the formula becomes M = 3 + 2y. This means for every hour the bike is rented, the total cost increases by $2 in addition to the initial $3 charge.