Question

jamal loses 35 pounds. he loses the same number of pounds each week for 7 weeks. the equation below is written to represent the situation: -35 ÷ 7 = -5 which description best explains the meaning of -5 in the equation? a jamal weighs -5 pounds each week. b the change in jamals weight each week is -5. c the total change in jamals weight is -5. d it takes jamal -5 weeks to reach a change in weight of -35.

Explanation:

• In the context of weight loss, a negative number represents a decrease.
• The equation \(-35\div7 = - 5\) is calculating the average weekly change in weight.
• Option A is incorrect because weight can't be negative in this context (it's about change, not actual weight value).
• Option C is wrong as the total change is \(-35\), not \(-5\).
• Option D is incorrect because the number of weeks is \(7\), not \(-5\).
• Option B is correct as \(-5\) represents the weekly change (decrease) in weight.

Answer:

B. The change in Jamal’s weight each week is \(-5\).