what is the temperature on the surface of the planet

Question

Scientists are studying the temperature on a distant planet. Let y represent the temperature (in degrees Celcius). Let x represent the height, the above the surface (in kilometers). Suppose that and y are related by the equation y =41-7x

what is the temperature on the surface of the planet? What is the temperature change for each kilometer we go up from the surface

Answer 1

y = 41 - 7x

Where y is the temperature and x is the height above the surface.

What is the temperature on the surface of the planet? The height at the surface is zero, so set x = 0 in the temperature equation (above) and compute the temperature (y).

What is the temperature change for each kilometer we go up from the surface? The temperature change per kilometer in height is the slope of the temperature equation (above). The slope is the quantity m in the standard form linear equation y = mx + b; that is y = -7x + 41. Can you identify the slope?