Let the cost of gasoline in the year 2000 be represented b the equation
y = a + b*x
where
x = months, counted from January
y = cost, dollars
The given data in the table is
Month: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
x, months: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
y, dollars: --- --- --- --- 1.76 2.13 --- --- --- --- --- ---
When x = 5, y = 1.76.
Therefore
a + 5b = 1.76 (1)
When x = 6, y = 2.13
Therefore
a + 6b = 2.13 (2)
Subtract equation (1) from (2).
a + 6b - (a + 5b) = 2.13 - 1.76
b = 0.37
From (1), obtain
a = 1.76 - 5b
= 1.76 - 5*0.37
= -0.09
The required equation is
y = 0.37x - 0.09
The graph shows the line, with the given data for May and June.
Answer: D. y = 0.37x - 0.09
y = a + b*x
where
x = months, counted from January
y = cost, dollars
The given data in the table is
Month: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
x, months: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
y, dollars: --- --- --- --- 1.76 2.13 --- --- --- --- --- ---
When x = 5, y = 1.76.
Therefore
a + 5b = 1.76 (1)
When x = 6, y = 2.13
Therefore
a + 6b = 2.13 (2)
Subtract equation (1) from (2).
a + 6b - (a + 5b) = 2.13 - 1.76
b = 0.37
From (1), obtain
a = 1.76 - 5b
= 1.76 - 5*0.37
= -0.09
The required equation is
y = 0.37x - 0.09
The graph shows the line, with the given data for May and June.
Answer: D. y = 0.37x - 0.09