Question

A veterinarian records the weights of several puppies over an 8-week period, beginning when each puppy is 12 weeks of age. This equation describes the relationship between the number of weeks, x, after a puppy’s weight is first recorded and the puppy’s weight, y, in pounds.

y = 2.5x + 26.5

The number 26.5 in the equation represents the average number of pounds that

Answer 1

The number 26.5 represents the initial average weight of the puppies at 12 weeks old, which is the y-intercept of the linear equation describing their weight gain.

Step-by-step explanation:

The number 26.5 in the equation y = 2.5x + 26.5 represents the initial average weight of the puppies when they are first recorded at 12 weeks old.

The variable y represents the puppy's weight in pounds at any given week x, while the value 2.5 represents the average weight gain per week.

Since the value 26.5 does not multiply the variable x, it is known as the y-intercept in a linear equation, which is the value of y when x is zero.

In the context of this problem, since the recording starts at 12 weeks, x = 0 corresponds to the 12-week mark.

Therefore, 26.5 pounds is the average weight of the puppies at the beginning of the weight recording period.