To calculate the rate of change in the number of gallons in the pool from the points \((1, 160)\) and \((3, 80)\), we can use the formula for the slope between two points:
\[ \text{Rate of Change} = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \]
Here, \((x_1, y_1) = (1, 160)\) and \((x_2, y_2) = (3, 80)\).
Plugging the values into the formula gives:
\[ \text{Rate of Change} = \frac{80 - 160}{3 - 1} = \frac{-80}{2} = -40 \]
Thus, the rate of change in the number of gallons in the pool after each hour has passed is \(-40 \text{ gal./hr.}\)
The correct response is:
−40 gal./hr.