Recent studies indicate that the average surface temperature of the

earth has been rising steadily. Some scientists have modeled the temperature by the linear function T =

0.02t + 8.50 where T is temperature in ◦C and t represents years since 1900.

(a) What do the slope and T-intercept represent?

Slope : The rate of increase of temperature on the earth's surface is 0.02°C per year since 1900.

T-intercept : 8.5 represents the temperature in °C of the earth's surface in the year 1900.

Step-by-step explanation:

The average surface temperature of Earth rising steadily. Scientists have modeled the temperature by the equation, T = 0.02t + 8.50 where t represents years since 1900 and T is the temperature in ◦C.

Now, the slope of the model equation is 0.02 which means the rate of increase of temperature on the earth's surface is 0.02°C per year since 1900.

Again, the T-intercept i. e. 8.5 represents the temperature in °C of the earth's surface in the year 1900. (Answer)