The table below shows the linear relationship between the number of people at a picnic and the total cost of the picnic. Which s

Answer:

The accurate selections include:

• The independent variable represents the number of people.
• The picnic begins with a base cost of $40.
• The total expense increases as the number of attendees goes up.

Detailed explanation:

The provided table displays a linear connection between the attendee count and the picnic's total expense as follows:

  Number of people              Total Cost ($)

        6                                           52

        9                                           58

        12                                          64

        15                                           70

• The total cost depends directly on the number of people present.

This means the number of people is the independent variable, while total cost is dependent.

• Since the relationship is linear, we can derive a function describing cost by using any two points.

Let f(n) represent cost for n attendees.

Using points (6,52) and (9,58),

we formulate:

The initial fee equals the cost when no one attends, so at n=0:

f(0)=40

Thus, the starting cost is $40.

• The slope, or rate of change, is $2 per person based on the function.

(Because f(n) = 2n + 40)

• It is clear from the data that total cost rises alongside number of people.
• If 4 people attend (n=4),

Calculate cost:

f(4) = 2×4 + 40 = 8 + 40 = 48

Therefore, total expenses for 4 attendees amount to $48.