We will determine the credit after 71 minutes as follows:
Now, since it is linear we have that it will be defined by a line [And we are given two different points] so we find the slope:
[tex]m=\frac{12.44-15.80}{63-35}\Rightarrow m=-\frac{3}{25}[/tex]Now, using one of the points given and the slope we replace in the following expression:
[tex]y-y_1=m(x-x_1)[/tex]That is:
[tex]y-15.80=(-\frac{3}{25})(x-35)\Rightarrow y-15.80=-\frac{3}{25}x+\frac{21}{5}[/tex][tex]\Rightarrow y=-\frac{3}{25}x+20[/tex]Now, we replace the time given (71 minutes) and solve:
[tex]y=-\frac{3}{25}(71)+20\Rightarrow y=11.48[/tex]So, the credit after 71 minutes is $11.48.