A new color copier purchased for $8,500 is expected to depreciate(lose value) according to the equation `y=-1,250x+8,500` where y is the value of the copier x years after it was purchased. The company that bought the copier plans to sell it when the value is $1,000 and upgrade to a new one. How many years after the copier is purchased will the company sell it?

Explanation

Difficult: Medium
Category: Heart of Algebra/ Linear Equations
Strategic Advice: In word problem, being able to match each variable to the quantity that it represents is often the key to getting started.
Getting to the Answer: The copier will be worth $1,000 when its value (y) is equal to 1,000. Plug 1,000 in for y and solve for x using inverse operations:
`y=-1,250x+8,500`
`1,000=-1,250x+8,500`
`-7,500=-1,250x`
x=6
The company will sell the copieer 6 years after its purchase.