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 is decreasing, so negative).

Step2: Understand the division

Dividing by \(3\) (the number of days in the weekend) gives the average change per day. The result \(-8\) means on average, the number of dogs in the shelter decreased by \(8\) each day.

• Option A is wrong because \(-24\) is the total decrease, not \(-8\).
• Option B is wrong because the number of dogs is decreasing (negative sign), not increasing.
• Option D is wrong as the \(-8\) is an average per - day decrease, not about not having enough dogs.

Answer:

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