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An exterminator estimates that a house has approximately 64,000 ants. After treating the house with a repellent, the ant population

decreases at a rate of 8% per hour.
Which equation represents this situation where y is the number of ants remaining after x hours?

User Tanguy
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1 Answer

7 votes

Answer:

y = -0.08x + 64,000

Explanation:

Assuming a linear relationship between number of ants remaining and hours, this problem uses slope intercept form (y=mx+b) where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept.

The slope for this problem (m) is the rate, -8% which is -0.08

The y-intercept can be solved for by rearranging the slope intercept equation to solve for b: b=y-mx

The specific y-intercept can be found by substituting in y=64,000 ants at x=0 hours: b=64,000 - (-0.08×0) = 64,000 - 0 = 64,000

The slope intercept equation for this problem is now y = -0.08x + 64,000

User Ted
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