Question

a fish tank at the pet store has started leaking. it started with 40 gallons of water and is losing 0.25 gallons per day. write an equation that shows how the number of gallons left, y, depends on the number of days the fish tank has been leaking, x. y =

Explanation:

Step1: Identify initial amount

The initial amount of water is 40 gallons.

Step2: Identify rate of change

The rate of water - loss is 0.25 gallons per day. Since it is a loss, the coefficient of $x$ (number of days) will be negative.

Step3: Write linear - equation

The general form of a linear equation is $y = mx + b$, where $m$ is the slope (rate of change) and $b$ is the y - intercept (initial value). Here, $m=-0.25$ and $b = 40$. So the equation is $y=40 - 0.25x$.

Answer:

$y = 40-0.25x$