Answer :
To solve this problem, let's understand the equation Xin wrote: [tex]\( g = 13 - 0.3h \)[/tex].
This equation is used to represent the number of gallons of gas [tex]\( g \)[/tex] Xin has left in her tank after driving for [tex]\( h \)[/tex] hours. The equation can be broken down as follows:
- [tex]\( g \)[/tex]: This stands for the gallons of gas remaining in the tank at any given time.
- [tex]\( 13 \)[/tex]: This is a constant in the equation and indicates the starting value. Therefore, it represents the initial amount of gas in the tank before the trip starts, which is 13 gallons.
- [tex]\( 0.3h \)[/tex]: This part of the equation shows the rate of consumption of gas, where 0.3 gallons are used each hour.
So, to directly address the question: the number 13 in the equation represents the initial number of gallons of gas Xin has in her tank at the beginning of her road trip.
This equation is used to represent the number of gallons of gas [tex]\( g \)[/tex] Xin has left in her tank after driving for [tex]\( h \)[/tex] hours. The equation can be broken down as follows:
- [tex]\( g \)[/tex]: This stands for the gallons of gas remaining in the tank at any given time.
- [tex]\( 13 \)[/tex]: This is a constant in the equation and indicates the starting value. Therefore, it represents the initial amount of gas in the tank before the trip starts, which is 13 gallons.
- [tex]\( 0.3h \)[/tex]: This part of the equation shows the rate of consumption of gas, where 0.3 gallons are used each hour.
So, to directly address the question: the number 13 in the equation represents the initial number of gallons of gas Xin has in her tank at the beginning of her road trip.