You began membership in a new health and fitness club which has access to a dietician and personal trainer. They help you develop a special eight-week diet and exercise program. The data in the following table represents your weight, w, as a function of time, t, over an eight-week period. Time (weeks)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Weight (lb)
150
144
143
141
140
137
137
132
129

Your weight decreases during each of the first five weeks of the program. Determine the actual change in weight over the first five weeks of the program by subtracting your initial weight from your weight at the end of the first five weeks. What is the sign of your answer? What is the significance of this sign?
a.
137-150 = -13 lb; A change in weight is negative because the weight decreases.
b.
137-150 = 13 lb; A change in weight is positive because the weight decreases.
c.
150-137 = -13 lb; A change in weight is negative because the weight increases.
d.
150-137 = 13 lb; A change in weight is positive because the weight increases.

P