1. The problem states the base rate for up to 2 hours is $3.50. Additional hours beyond 2 are charged at an hourly rate $x$. 2. From the table, the cost for 3 hours is $9.00$, for 4 hours is $14.50$, and for 5 hours is $20.00$. 3. Since the base is for 2 hours, the additional hours for 3, 4, and 5 hours are 1, 2, and 3 respectively. 4. The total cost should be the base rate plus the hourly rate times the number of additional hours. 5. Using 5 hours as an example, the total cost is $20.00 = 3.50 + 3x$ since there are 3 additional hours beyond 2. 6. This matches equation (a) $9.00 + 3x = 20.00$ only if 9.00 was the base, but 9.00 is the cost at 3 hours, not the base. 7. Equation (b) $9.00 + 3.50x = 20.00$ does not model the problem correctly as 3.50 is the base, not the hourly rate. 8. Equation (c) $2x + 3.50 = 14.50$ correctly states that the total cost for 4 hours (2 additional hours) is $14.50$, base $3.50$ plus $2x$. 9. Equation (d) $2x + 9.00 = 14.50$ incorrectly uses 9.00 as the base. 10. Therefore, the linear equation that can be used to find $x$, the additional hourly parking rate, is (c): $$2x + 3.50 = 14.50$$ Final answer: (c) $$2x + 3.50 = 14.50$$