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 dogs are being adopted out, which reduces the shelter's population).
• When we divide the total number of dogs adopted out (\(24\)) over \(3\) days (\(-24\div3\)), the result \(-8\) represents the average change per day. So, it means the population decreased by an average of \(8\) dogs each day.
• Option A is wrong because \(-8\) is per - day, not total over three days. Option B is wrong as it's a decrease, not an increase. Option D is incorrect as the \(-8\) is a rate of decrease per day, not about not having enough dogs in a non - rate sense.

Answer:

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