Let the value of the car be represented by V and the amount of years by y. This gives us the following formula: V = 25,635 - 3000y (This is because we start with a value of $25,635 and the value decreases by $3,000 every year 'y')
Now, we want to know when the car is worth $3,135, so we know V = 3,135 Now we can make up our equation: 25,365 - 3,000y = 3,135
Collecting terms gives us: -3,000y = -22,500
Finally we divide by -3,000 to find 'y' y = -22,500 / -3,000 = 7.5
Hence, the car will be worth $3,135 after 7.5 years.
<em>The product of an even number of negatives give us a positive number. An odd number of - 1's gives us a negative one, -1. This can be applied to any set of products. The product of an odd number of negatives give us a negative number. </em>
