Question

in a small town, 10 residents move to new cities each year for 3 years. the equation below is written to represent the situation: (-10)·3 = -30 which description best explains the meaning of -30 in the equation? a -30 residents leave the town. b there are -30 residents in the town. c the change in the number of residents per year is -30. d the total change in the number of residents in the town due to people moving away is -30.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze each option

• Option A: Residents are counted as positive numbers, not \(-30\). So, this option is incorrect.
• Option B: The number of residents can't be negative. So, this option is incorrect.
• Option C: The change per year is \(- 10\) (since \(10\) leave each year), not \(-30\). So, this option is incorrect.
• Option D: Since \(10\) leave each year for \(3\) years, the total change is \((-10)\times3=-30\). This option is correct.

Answer:

D. The total change in the number of residents in the town due to people moving away is \(-30\).