The graph represents the total charge, in dollars, by an electrician for x hours of work. The electrician charges a onetime fee plus an hourly rate. What is the best interpretation of the slope of the graph?

Explanation

The correct answer is that the slope of the graph represents the electrician's hourly rate. In a linear equation of the form y = mx + b, where y represents the total charge and x represents the hours worked, m is the slope which indicates the rate of increase in total charge per hour of work, hence the hourly rate. The y-intercept, b, represents the initial or onetime fee charged by the electrician. Other options incorrectly interpret the role of the slope in the graph: the onetime fee is the y-intercept, and the total or maximum charge is not directly determined by the slope alone.