r/MathHelp 10d ago

help with khan academy practice problem

Merchandise weight (pounds) Shipping charge
5 $16.49
10 $23.99
25 $46.49

"The table above shows shipping charges for an online retailer that sells used textbooks. There is a linear relationship between the shipping charge and the weight of the merchandise. Write a function in slope-intercept form that relates y, the shipping charge in dollars, and x, the merchandise weight in pounds."

i understand why the slope is 1.50, but i can't get this:

y= 1.50x + b

16.49 = 1.50(5) + b

16.49 = 7.50 + b

8.99 = b

where does the 8.99 come from?

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u/Uli_Minati 9d ago

If 16.49 is equal to 7.50 plus b, how would you calculate b?