Question

After birth, a baby's weight increased at a steady rate for several weeks

A linear model of this situation contains the values (1, 7.6) and (11, 10.6), where x represents the number of weeks, and y
represents the baby's weight, in pounds.
What was the baby's weight at birth?
A 73 pounds
B. 76 pounds
C. 0.3 of a pound
D. 10 pounds

Answer 1

A 7.3 pounds. The baby's weight at birth, according to the linear model, is 7.3 pounds.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the baby's weight at birth, we can use the linear model provided with the values (1, 7.6) and (11, 10.6). These values represent the number of weeks (x) and the baby's weight in pounds (y). We can use the formula for the equation of a straight line, y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept.

To find the slope, we use the formula m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1). Using the given values, we have m = (10.6 - 7.6) / (11 - 1) = 3 / 10 = 0.3.

Now that we have the slope, we can find the y-intercept by substituting one of the points into the equation y = mx + b. Using the point (1, 7.6), we have 7.6 = 0.3(1) + b. Solving for b, we get b = 7.6 - 0.3 = 7.3.

Therefore, the baby's weight at birth, when x = 0, is equal to the y-intercept, which is 7.3 pounds.