Question

After a salmonella outbreak in the state, the average amount of raw milk consumed per person in the state declined at a constant rate of 0.7 gallons per month. After four months, the average raw milk consumption picked up at the same constant rate at which it had declined earlier. Before the outbreak, on average, each person in the state consumed three gallons per month.
Match the number of months after the outbreak to the average rate of consumption at that time.

Answer 1

The starting value is 3 gallons of milk.

It declined at 0.7 gallons per month.

For the declining months subtract 0.7 for each month:

Start: 3.0 gallons

1 month: 3 -0.7 = 2.3

2 months: 2.3 - 0.7 = 1.6

3 months: 1.6 - 0.7 = 0.9

4 months: 0.9 -0.7 = 0.2

After 4 months it increased by 0.7 per month, so now add 0.7 each month:

5 months: 0.2 + 0.7 = 0.9

6 months: 0.9 + 0.7 = 1.6

7 months: 1.6 + 0.7 = 2.3

8 months: 2.3 +0.7 = 3.0

Now find the total for the month:

0.2 gallons was month 4

2.3 gallons was 7 months

3.0 gallons was 8 months

1.6 gallons was 2 months