Part A: To write a linear equation for the total number of hair ties \( h \) based on the number of days \( d \), we start with the initial number of hair ties Tommy had at the start of the week and add the number of hair ties he steals each day.
- Tommy starts with 5 hair ties.
- He steals 3 hair ties each day.
The linear equation can be expressed as: \[ h(d) = 5 + 3d \]
Part B: To find out how many hair ties Tommy would have stolen after 9 days, substitute \( d = 9 \) into the equation:
\[ h(9) = 5 + 3(9) = 5 + 27 = 32 \]
Tommy would have stolen 32 hair ties after 9 days.