Question

Based on the table, which function models this?

Number of meals dispensed (n), to amount of pet food to remaining f(n)

1 to 21
3 to 15
6 to 6
7 to 3

Answer 1

The data are changing at a constant rate: each meal reduces the food by 3 units. So it's linear with slope -3.

Find intercept: using (1,21), 21 = -3(1) + b → b = 24.

Thus f(n) = 24 − 3n (or f(n) = −3n + 24).
(Valid realistically for 0 ≤ n ≤ 8 since f becomes 0 at n = 8.)