The number of people afflicted with the common cold C in the winter months steadily decreased by 205 each year from 2005 until 2010. In 2005, 12,033 people were

Question

The number of people afflicted with the common cold C in the winter months steadily decreased by 205 each year from 2005 until 2010. In 2005, 12,033 people were afflicted.

 

Find the linear function that models the number of people afflicted with the common cold C as a function of the year t. (Let t represent the number of years since 2005.)
C(t) = 

Answer 1

Starting at a point of 12,033 we decrease by 205 times the # years,

letting 2005 equate to year zero.  Our equation will have a negative

slope since the number of afflicted is decreasing as the years increase.

 

Setting up an equation in slope intercept form of C(t) = mt + b

where (0,b) is the "C" intercept.  The intercept is at (0, 12,033)

 

C(t) = -205t + 12,033