Question 1123532
let x represent one 2 week period.


if the dog is expected to lose 4 ounces a week, then the dog is expected to lose 8 ounces every 2 weeks.


the dog starts at 126 pounds.


8 ounces is half a pound, so the dog is expected to lose .5 pounds every 2 weeks.


the formula would be y = 126 - .5 * x


y is the expected weight of the dog after x two week periods.


x is the number of two week periods.


if you want to know how long it will take the dog to lose 5 pounds, then take 126 and subtract 5 to get 121 pounds.


the formula then becomes 121 = 126 - .5 * x


solve for x to get x = (126 - 121) / .5 = 5 /.5 = 10 two week periods, or 20 weeks.


this formula can be graphed as shown below:


<img src = "http://theo.x10hosting.com/2018/091902.jpg" alt="$$$" >


in the graph, y is the weight of the dog in pounds and x is the numbe of two week periods from when the diet started.