To represent the average cost of a loaf of white bread since 1985 as a linear equation on a coordinate plane, you would typically need two variables:
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X-axis (independent variable): This could represent the number of years since 1985. For instance, if \( x = 0 \) corresponds to the year 1985, then \( x = 1 \) would represent 1986, and so forth.
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Y-axis (dependent variable): This would represent the average cost of a loaf of white bread in dollars.
Assuming we have historical data on the average cost of a loaf of white bread over the years, you can use that data to form a linear equation in the slope-intercept form \( y = mx + b \), where:
- \( y \) is the average cost of bread.
- \( m \) is the slope of the line (the rate of change in the cost per year).
- \( b \) is the y-intercept (the average cost at \( x = 0 \), or the year 1985).
For example, if in 1985 the cost of a loaf of bread was $0.50 and the cost increased by $0.05 each year, you could create a linear equation as follows:
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Determine the values:
- \( b = 0.50 \) (cost in 1985)
- \( m = 0.05 \) (increase per year)
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Formulate the equation:
- The equation would then be \( y = 0.05x + 0.50 \).
You can now plot this equation on a coordinate plane, where the x-values represent the years since 1985, and the corresponding y-values represent the average cost of a loaf of white bread.
If you have specific data points you'd like to incorporate, you can adjust the slope and y-intercept accordingly.
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