To create a piecewise linear graph of the dog boarding fee structure based on weight, we need to define the x-axis in terms of weight (the independent variable) and the corresponding fee amount (the dependent variable).
The best choice for the x-axis is "weight," as we are graphing the charges based on the dog's weight.
Now let's examine the increments for weight to cover all relevant sections of the piecewise function:
- For dogs under 15 lbs, it charges $30.
- For dogs between 15 and 50 lbs, the charge is $35.
- For dogs 50 lbs or more, the charge starts at $35 and increases $3 for every additional 5 lbs over 50 lbs.
To accommodate these changes while ensuring clarity in the graph, a weight increment of 10 lbs would allow for clear representation of charge increases in each section without overly detailing smaller increments.
Thus, the best definition for the x-axis quantity and scale for a piecewise linear graph of the fee structure is:
weight; 10