Recent studies indicate that the average surface temp. of the earth has been rising steadily. Some scientists have modeled the temp. by the linear function T= 0.02t + 8.50, where T is temp. in degrees Celsius and t represents years since 1900.

What do the slope and T-intercept represent?

I am not sure if I am overthinking this problem and if it is as simple as the T-intercept represents the temp. in deg. C and the slope represents the average surface temp. of the earth in various years?

2 answers

slope represents rate of change of temp
intercept is the temp in the year 1990
Ok so here's a similar problem.
The manager of a weekend flea market knows from past experience that if he charges x dollars for a rental space at the market, then the number y of spaces he can rent is given by the equation y= 200-4x.

Is this correct?
Slope represents the relationship between amount charged per space and how many spaces he will rent. The more he charges, the less he will rent.

y-intercept represents the # of spaces he can rent

x-intercept represents the amount of money he can make or charge