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.
• 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 since the number of weeks is 7 (a positive value), not $-5$.
• Option B is correct as $-5$ represents the weekly change (a loss of 5 pounds each week, so a change of $-5$).

Answer:

B. The change in Jamal’s weight each week is $-5$.