Calculating the Rate of Savings

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 123 views

Introduction

Gerri, a coffee lover, has purchased a coupon book with discounts for her favorite coffee shop. The coupon book contains various discounts, but each coupon for the coffee shop offers the same discount. The table below shows her total savings, ${$ y$}$, based on the number of coupons, ${$ x$}$, used from the coupon book.

Number of Coupons Used ($x$)	Total Savings ($y$)
0	0
1	3
2	6
3	9
4	12
5	15

Analyzing the Data

At first glance, the data in the table appears to be a simple linear relationship between the number of coupons used and the total savings. However, to confirm this, we need to analyze the data further.

Calculating the Rate of Savings

To calculate the rate of savings, we can use the formula:

Rate of Savings = (Total Savings / Number of Coupons Used)

Using the data from the table, we can calculate the rate of savings as follows:

Number of Coupons Used ($x$)	Total Savings ($y$)	Rate of Savings
1	3	3
2	6	3
3	9	3
4	12	3
5	15	3

As we can see, the rate of savings is constant at 3 dollars per coupon used. This indicates that the relationship between the number of coupons used and the total savings is linear.

Linear Relationship

A linear relationship is a relationship between two variables where one variable is a constant multiple of the other variable. In this case, the total savings is a constant multiple of the number of coupons used.

The equation of a linear relationship can be written in the form:

y = mx + b

where m is the slope of the line, x is the independent variable, and b is the y-intercept.

Using the data from the table, we can write the equation of the linear relationship as follows:

y = 3x

This equation indicates that for every coupon used, the total savings increases by 3 dollars.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the data in the table shows a linear relationship between the number of coupons used and the total savings. The rate of savings is constant at 3 dollars per coupon used, and the equation of the linear relationship is y = 3x. This indicates that the relationship between the number of coupons used and the total savings is a simple linear relationship.

Real-World Applications

The concept of linear relationships has many real-world applications. For example, in finance, the interest rate on a loan is often a linear function of the principal amount borrowed. In economics, the demand for a product is often a linear function of the price of the product.

Tips for Understanding Linear Relationships

To understand linear relationships, it is essential to have a good understanding of the concept of slope and y-intercept. The slope of a line represents the rate of change of the dependent variable with respect to the independent variable, while the y-intercept represents the value of the dependent variable when the independent variable is zero.

Practice Problems

To practice understanding linear relationships, try the following problems:

A bakery sells a total of 500 loaves of bread per day. The number of loaves sold increases by 10 loaves per day. Write an equation to represent the number of loaves sold as a function of the number of days.
A company pays its employees a base salary of 500 dollars per week, plus a bonus of 10 dollars per hour worked. Write an equation to represent the total pay as a function of the number of hours worked.

Solutions

Let x be the number of days and y be the number of loaves sold. Then, the equation of the linear relationship is:

y = 10x + 500

Let x be the number of hours worked and y be the total pay. Then, the equation of the linear relationship is:

y = 10x + 500

Conclusion

In conclusion, the concept of linear relationships is a fundamental concept in mathematics and has many real-world applications. Understanding linear relationships requires a good understanding of the concept of slope and y-intercept. By practicing problems and understanding the concept of linear relationships, you can develop a strong foundation in mathematics and apply it to real-world problems.

References

[1] Khan Academy. (n.d.). Linear Equations. Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/linear-equations
[2] Mathway. (n.d.). Linear Equations. Retrieved from https://www.mathway.org/subjects/linear-equations

Additional Resources

[1] Khan Academy. (n.d.). Linear Relationships. Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/linear-relationships
[2] Mathway. (n.d.). Linear Relationships. Retrieved from https://www.mathway.org/subjects/linear-relationships
Q&A: Understanding Linear Relationships =============================================

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the concept of linear relationships and how they can be used to model real-world problems. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about linear relationships to help you better understand this concept.

Q: What is a linear relationship?

A: A linear relationship is a relationship between two variables where one variable is a constant multiple of the other variable. In other words, if we have two variables x and y, a linear relationship between them means that y is equal to a constant multiple of x, plus a constant.

Q: How do I determine if a relationship is linear?

A: To determine if a relationship is linear, you can use the following steps:

Plot the data on a graph.
Check if the graph is a straight line.
If the graph is a straight line, then the relationship is linear.

Q: What is the equation of a linear relationship?

A: The equation of a linear relationship is typically written in the form:

y = mx + b

where m is the slope of the line, x is the independent variable, and b is the y-intercept.

Q: What is the slope of a line?

A: The slope of a line is a measure of how steep the line is. It is calculated by dividing the change in the dependent variable (y) by the change in the independent variable (x).

Q: What is the y-intercept of a line?

A: The y-intercept of a line is the point where the line intersects the y-axis. It is the value of the dependent variable (y) when the independent variable (x) is equal to zero.

Q: How do I graph a linear relationship?

A: To graph a linear relationship, you can use the following steps:

Plot the y-intercept on the graph.
Plot the slope of the line on the graph.
Draw a straight line through the points.

Q: What are some real-world applications of linear relationships?

A: Linear relationships have many real-world applications, including:

Finance: The interest rate on a loan is often a linear function of the principal amount borrowed.
Economics: The demand for a product is often a linear function of the price of the product.
Science: The relationship between the amount of a substance and its concentration is often a linear function.

Q: How do I use linear relationships to solve problems?

A: To use linear relationships to solve problems, you can follow these steps:

Identify the variables in the problem.
Determine the relationship between the variables.
Write an equation to represent the relationship.
Solve the equation to find the solution.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when working with linear relationships?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when working with linear relationships include:

Assuming that a relationship is linear when it is not.
Failing to check the slope and y-intercept of a line.
Not using the correct equation to represent the relationship.

Conclusion

In conclusion, linear relationships are an important concept in mathematics and have many real-world applications. By understanding linear relationships, you can develop a strong foundation in mathematics and apply it to real-world problems.

References

[1] Khan Academy. (n.d.). Linear Equations. Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/linear-equations
[2] Mathway. (n.d.). Linear Equations. Retrieved from https://www.mathway.org/subjects/linear-equations

Additional Resources

[1] Khan Academy. (n.d.). Linear Relationships. Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/linear-relationships
[2] Mathway. (n.d.). Linear Relationships. Retrieved from https://www.mathway.org/subjects/linear-relationships