Question

danika runs an adoption shelter for dogs. she adopts out twenty - four dogs over a three - day weekend to new homes. the following equation is written to represent the situation: $-24div3=-8$. which of the following best explains the meaning of $-8$ in the equation? a the total dog population in the shelter decreased by a total of 8 dogs over the three - day weekend. b the dog population in the shelter increased by an average of 8 dogs each day of the three - day weekend. c the dog population in the shelter decreased by an average of 8 dogs each day of the three - day weekend. d the dog population in the shelter is considered $-8$ because danika did not have enough dogs to adopt out to families over the three - day weekend.

Explanation:

• The negative sign in \(-24\div3 = - 8\) indicates a decrease (since adopting out dogs reduces the shelter's population).
• The division by \(3\) (number of days) gives the average change per day.

Answer:

C. The dog population in the shelter decreased by an average of 8 dogs each day of the three - day weekend.