SOLUTION: Stephen has a bowl of M&Ms, which he is eating at a constant speed. He began with 28 pounds. It will take him 7 hours to finish the bowl. When considering the length of time he has

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: Stephen has a bowl of M&Ms, which he is eating at a constant speed. He began with 28 pounds. It will take him 7 hours to finish the bowl. When considering the length of time he has      Log On


   

Question 1111103: Stephen has a bowl of M&Ms, which he is eating at a constant speed. He began with 28 pounds. It will take him 7 hours to finish the bowl. When considering the length of time he has been eating and the pounds of M&Ms LEFT, write an equation. Also, find the x and y intercept.
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +y+ = pounds of M&Ms left in bowl
Let +x+ = length of time in hrs he has been eating
--------------------------------------------
His rate of eating is +28%2F7+=+4+ pounds/hr
[ pounds of M&Ms in bowl ] / [ rate of eating them ] = [ time to eat them ]
+28%2F4+=+7+ hrs
----------------------
I have given myself the point ( 7, 0 ) on the line
( there is zero M&Ms left in bowl after +7+ hrs )
and for slope, +m+=+-4+
( after each hr, there is less in the bowl )
+y+=+m%2Ax+%2B+b+
+y+=+-4%2Ax+%2B+b+
+0+=+-4%2A7+%2B+b+
+b+=+28+
+y+=+-4x+%2B+28+
--------------------------
x-intercept:
( x, 0 )
+0+=+-4x+%2B+28+
+4x+=+28+
+x+=+7+
( 7, 0 )
-------------------
y-intercept:
( 0, y )
+y+=+-4%2A0+%2B+28+
+y+=+28+
( 0, 28 )