To find the rate of change between the two points \((1, 160)\) and \((3, 80)\), we can use the formula for the slope (rate of change):
\[ \text{slope} = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \]
Here, \((x_1, y_1) = (1, 160)\) and \((x_2, y_2) = (3, 80)\).
Now, plug in the values:
\[ \text{slope} = \frac{80 - 160}{3 - 1} = \frac{-80}{2} = -40 \]
So the rate of change in the number of gallons in the pool after each hour has passed is:
\(-40 , \text{gal./hr.}\)
The correct response is:
−40 gal./hr.