Question

In 2000, the average monthly price for basic cable television in the United States was $29.99. In 2016, the average monthly price for the same basic cable television was $59.75. Write a linear function that models the cost of basic cable television in the United States for x years after 2000. Use the linear function to determine the cost of basic cable television in the United States in the year 2020.

Answer 1

Answer:

$y(x) = 29.99 + 1.86x$

The cost of basic cable television in the United States in the year 2020 will be $67.19.

Step-by-step explanation:

The linear function has the following format.

$y(x) = y(0) + ax$

In which y(x) is the cost x years after 2000, y(0) is the initial cost, that is, the cost in 2000, and a is the slope(how much the cost changes in a year).

In 2000, the average monthly price for basic cable television in the United States was $29.99.

This means that $y(0) = 29.99$

In 2016, the average monthly price for the same basic cable television was $59.75.

2016 is 16 years after 2000. So

$y(16) = 59.75$

Write a linear function that models the cost of basic cable television in the United States for x years after 2000.

$y(x) = y(0) + ax$

Applying y(16).

$59.75 = 29.99 + 16a$

$16a = 29.76$

$a = \frac{29.76}{16}$

$a = 1.86$

So

$y(x) = 29.99 + 1.86x$

Use the linear function to determine the cost of basic cable television in the United States in the year 2020.

2020 is 20 years after 2000, so this is y(20).

$y(x) = 29.99 + 1.86x$

$y(20) = 29.99 + 1.86*20 = 67.19$

The cost of basic cable television in the United States in the year 2020 will be $67.19.