Problem Statement
The question gives us an equation that gives us the value of a computer after its initial value at purchase. The equation given is:
[tex]\begin{gathered} y(t)=3200-200t, \\ \text{where,} \\ t=years\text{ afer year of purchase} \\ y=\text{value of the computer} \end{gathered}[/tex]
We are asked to find:
a. The y-intercept and its meaning.
b. The slope and its meaning
Solution
To solve this question, we simply need to compare the equation given to the general slope-intercept equation. The general slope-intercept equation is given by:
[tex]\begin{gathered} y(t)=mt+c \\ \text{where,} \\ c=y-\text{intercept} \\ m=\text{slope of the equation} \end{gathered}[/tex]
With this equation, we can compare with the equation given in the question:
[tex]\begin{gathered} y=mt+c \\ y=3200-200t \\ \text{This implies that:} \\ \\ \text{slope(m)}=-200 \\ y-\text{intercept}=3200 \end{gathered}[/tex]
Thus, let us answer the questions:
a. The y-intercept and its meaning:
The y-intercept is 3200.
When we vary the time variable in the equation given, we can get a sense of what this y-intercept means. This is done below:
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