Solve the problem.
-In 1995 the United States recovered 25% of its municipal solid wastes through recycling, up from 17% in 1990. Let P represent the percentage recycled and t the number of years since 1990. Find a linear function P(t)that fits
This data.
A)P(t)= -1.6t + 7
B)P(t)= 0.8t - 17
C)P(t)= 1.6t + 17
D)P(t)= 1.6t + 24

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The linear function that fits the data is found by determining the slope (change in percentage per year) and the y-intercept (percentage at year 0, which is 1990 in this context). The slope is $\frac{25\% - 17\%}{1995 - 1990} = \frac{8}{5} = 1.6$. Since at $t = 0$ (year 1990), $P = 17\%$, the equation is $P(t) = 1.6t + 17$.

Solve the Problem. -In 1995 the United States Recovered 25% of Its Municipal