Problema Solution

You purchase a new SUV for $28,000. After 3 years it will have deprecated to $22,000. Write the value V of the SUV as a linear equation of t, the number of years since the SUV was purchased. What was the value of the SUV after 5 years?

Answer provided by our tutors

V(t) = a*t + b,


where a and b are constants


for t = 0 years


V(0) = 28,000


a*0 + b = 28000


b = 28000


for t = 3 years


v(3) = 22000


a*3 + 28000 = 22000


a*3 = 22000 - 28000


a = - 6000/3


a = -2000


the linear equation is


V(t) = -2000*t + 28000


after 5 years that is for t = 5 we get


V(5) = -2000*5 + 28000


V(5) = $18,000


The value of the SUV after 5 years was $18,000.