• SAT
High School

The equation for the amount of water, \( W \), in ounces, remaining in Henry's water bottle after leaking for \( m \) minutes is given by:

\[ W = -\frac{1}{2} m + 16 \]

What does the \(-\frac{1}{2}\) represent in the equation?

A. The water bottle loses 2 ounces of water per minute.

B. The water bottle loses \(\frac{1}{2}\) an ounce of water per minute.

C. The water bottle has \(\frac{1}{2}\) an ounce of water in it at the start.

D. \(\frac{1}{2}\) of the water has leaked from the water bottle in one minute.