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The monthly cost (in dollars) of water use is a linear function of the amount of water used (in hundreds of cubic feet, HCF). The cost for using 14 HCF of water is$38.46, and the cost for using 38 HCF is $73.26. What is the cost for using 20 HCF of water?

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the cost for using 20 HCF of water is $47.36

Step-by-step explanation:

Linear function is in the form: y = mx + c

Let the monthly cost (in dollars) of water = y

the amount of water used (in hundreds of cubic feet, HCF) = x

when y = $38.46, x =14 HCF

Inserting in the equation of line:

38.46 = 14m + c ...equation 1

when y = $73.26, x = 38 HCF

73.26 = 38m + c ...equation 1

To get m = slope = change in y/ change in x

(x, y) = (14, 38.46) and (38, 73.26)

m = (73.26-38.46)/(38-14)

m = 34.8/24

m = 1.45

Insert the value of m in any of the equation to get intercept (c):

using 73.26 = 38m + c

73.26 = 38(1.45) + c

c = 73.46 - 55.1

c = 18.36

The equation of the function becomes: y = 1.45x + 18.36

To get the cost for using 20 HCF of water, we will use the equation:

y = 1.45x + 18.36

x = 20HCF, y = ?

y = 1.45(20) + 18.36

y = 29+18.36

y = 47.36

Therefore, the cost for using 20 HCF of water is $47.36

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