Question

Jesse takes two data points from the weight and feed cost data set to calculate a slope, or average rate of change. A hamster weighs half a pound and costs $2 per week to feed, while a Labrador Retriever weighs 62.5 pounds and costs $10 per week to feed. Using weight as the explanatory variable, what is the slope of a line between these two points? Answer choices are rounded to the nearest hundredth.

a. $0.13 / Ib.
b. $4.00 / Ib
c. $6.25 / Ib.
d. $7.75 / Ib.

Answer 1

0.13

Explanation:

Answer 2

a. $0.13 / Ib.

Explanation:

Slope of a line:

Suppose we have two data-points in a line. The slope is given by the change in the output divided by the change in the output.

In this question:

Input: weight(in pounds)

Output: Weekly cost to feed.

A hamster weighs half a pound and costs $2 per week to feed, while a Labrador Retriever weighs 62.5 pounds and costs $10 per week to feed.

Inputs: 0.5, 62.5

Outputs: 2, 10

Change in the outputs: 10 - 2 = 8

Change in the inputs: 62.5 - 0.5 = 62

Slope:
`m = (8)/(62) = 0.13`

So the correct answer is given by option A.