Answer:
y = 10x + 5.5
Step-by-step explanation:
We can write our equation in slope-intercept form, which looks like y = mx + b. "m" is our <em>growth rate</em>, and "b" is our y-intercept, or <em>starting value</em>.
So, let's fill in "m" first. What is our growth rate? Well, 10 inches per year. So, we can replace "m" with 10: y = 10x + b. But we have to figure out which number to replace "b" with. In this scenario, Sofia planted the maple tree when it was <em>already 5.5 inches tall</em>. So, when it grows 10 inches per year, the inches are being added to that original value. 5.5 is our starting value: y = 10x + 5.5. And that's our final equation.
Hopefully that's helpful! :)