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:

• Option A: The equation represents the total change over 3 years, not just "residents leave" without emphasizing total change.
• Option B: The number of residents can't be negative in a real - world context.
• Option C: The change per year is - 10 (from \((-10)\cdot3=-30\)), not - 30.
• Option D: Since 10 residents move away each year (\(-10\) per year) for 3 years, multiplying gives the total change in the number of residents due to moving away (\((-10)\times3=-30\)).

Answer:

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