$8$

$(14)$ The following data were collected as a candle burned. The data show how the height of the candle changed over time.

$\backslash$table$[[$How long a candle has burned $(min),0,9,18,27,36],[$Height of the candle $(cm),15,12,9,6,3]]$

$($a$)(5$ points$)$ Graph the data. Put the height values of the candle on the vertical axis and the time values on the horizontal axis.

$($b$)(3$ points$)$ Why is it appropriate to join the points and make a solid line in this situation?

$($c$)(5$ points$)$ Calculate the slope of the line.

$($d$)(3$ points$)$ What does the slope tell you about the candle.

$($e$)(3$ points$)$ Exactly how many minutes will this candle last after it is lit? Explain why.