20 POINTS WILL MARK AS BRAINLIEST AND SAY THANKS In 2000, the cost of many items increased because the increase in the cost of gas. In Chicago, a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline cost $1.76 in May and $2.13 in June. Write an equation that could be used to determine the cost of gasoline during any month in 2000. (Hint: use 1 to represent January.)
A) y = .37x + 5
B) y = .37x + 1.76
C) y = .37x + 2.13
D) y = .37x - .09
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.
