Final answer:
The equation that describes the total cost y as a function of the hours x for the downtown parking lot is y = 5x - 2.50 for x ≤ 2; y = 2.50x for x > 2.
Step-by-step explanation:
The equation that describes the total cost y as a function of the hours x for the downtown parking lot is:
For x ≤ 2: y = 5x - 2.50
For x > 2: y = 2.50x
So, the answer is a) y = 5x - 2.50 for x ≤ 2; y = 2.50x for x > 2.