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:

Step1: Analyze the equation

The equation is \(-24\div3 = -8\). Here, \(-24\) represents the total decrease in the number of dogs (since they are adopted out, the number of dogs in the shelter decreases). The division by \(3\) (the number of days) gives the average change per day.

Step2: Interpret the result

The negative sign in \(-8\) indicates a decrease. And since we divided the total decrease (\(-24\)) by the number of days (\(3\)), \(-8\) means the dog population in the shelter decreased by an average of \(8\) dogs each day of the three - day weekend.

Answer:

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