Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
If the liquid is cooling at a constant rate, then the equation for this is linear. We can use the info given to find the linear equation for this situation. We have 2 points: (2, 178) and (5, 154), where the x coordinate represents the time in minutes, and y represents the temperature. We use these values in the slope formula:
Now we will use one of the points to finish writing the equation. I chose (2, 178), but it doesn't matter which one you choose; they will both give you the same equation in the end.
y - 178 = -8(x - 2) and
y - 178 = -8x + 16 so
y = -8x + 196
If we are looking for the temp when the liquid starting cooling, then we are looking for the temp at time 0, or when x = 0 (sincce x is our time).
y = -8(0) + 196 so
y = 196
That's the temp of the liquid before it started any cooling.