Barton took out a car loan of $2,625. He makes monthly payments of $175. The graph represents the remaining balance after each payment. Which example models the correct slope?

1 answer

To determine the correct slope for the graph representing the remaining balance after each payment on Barton’s car loan, we can analyze the situation mathematically.

Barton’s car loan amount is $2,625, and he makes monthly payments of $175. The slope in this context represents the rate at which the remaining balance decreases with each payment made.

  1. Slope Calculation:
    • The loan amount is decreasing by $175 each month as he makes his payments.
    • Therefore, the slope can be represented as the change in the remaining balance over the change in time (months).

The formula for slope \( m \) is: \[ m = \frac{\text{change in y}}{\text{change in x}} = \frac{-175}{1} = -175 \]

  1. Interpretation:
    • The negative sign indicates that the remaining balance is decreasing.
    • Each month, the remaining balance decreases by $175.

Thus, the correct example that models the slope of the graph representing the remaining balance after each payment is:

Slope = -175

This implies that for every month that passes (or payment made), the remaining balance decreases by $175.