The value of a computer bought in 1998 decreases as time passes. Two years after the computer was bought, it was worth $2,600. Five years after it was bought, it was worth $2,000.

If the relationship between number of years past 1998 and value of the computer is linear, write an equation describing this relationship to help predict the value of the computer in future years.
HINT: Use ordered pairs of the form: (years past 1998, vlaue of the computer)

A) y=-200x+3000
B) y=200x+3000
C) y=-200x-1000
D) y=-200x+1000

(2600-2000)/(5-2)=200

Initial price was 2600+(200 x 2)=3000
A) y= - 200x+3000

To find the equation describing the relationship between the number of years past 1998 and the value of the computer, we can use the information given to form two ordered pairs: (2, 2600) and (5, 2000).

Let's denote the number of years past 1998 as 'x' and the value of the computer as 'y'. Now we can set up two equations using the given ordered pairs:

Equation 1: When x = 2, y = 2600
2600 = -200(2) + b [Substituting the values into y = mx + b, where m is the slope]

Equation 2: When x = 5, y = 2000
2000 = -200(5) + b

Now, we can solve these equations to find the value of 'b', which represents the y-intercept:

2600 = -400 + b [Simplifying equation 1]
b = 3000

2000 = -1000 + b [Simplifying equation 2]
b = 3000

We observe that both equations give the same value for 'b', which confirms our calculations.

Now that we know the value of 'b', we can put it in the slope-intercept form of a linear equation:

y = -200x + 3000

Comparing this equation with the given options, we see that the correct answer is:

A) y = -200x + 3000