Answer:
A: The straight-line depreciation equation is a linear equation of the form:
Value = initial value - (rate of depreciation) x (age)
Where the "rate of depreciation" is the amount by which the value decreases each year. In this case, the initial value is $43,500, and the car depreciates over a period of 12 years. So, you can calculate the rate of depreciation as:
Rate of depreciation = (initial value - final value) / (age)
Where the final value is zero (since the car is totally depreciated after 12 years). Therefore, you have:
Rate of depreciation = ($43,500 - $0) / 12 years = $3,625 per year
Substituting this into the formula, you get:
Value = $43,500 - $3,625 x (age)
Where "value" is the current value of the car after "age" years.
B: You want to find how long it will take for the car to be worth 25% of its value. Let's call this time "t". Then you have:
0.25($43,500) = $10,875 = $43,500 - $3,625t
Solving for "t", you get:
$3,625t = $43,500 - $10,875 = $32,625
t = $32,625 / $3,625 = 9 years
Therefore, it will take 9 years for the car to be worth 25% of its value.
C: You want to find how much the car will be worth in 10 years. Substituting "age = 10" into the equation derived in part A, you get:
Value = $43,500 - $3,625 x 10 = $7,750
Therefore, the car will be worth $7,750 in 10 years.