Step-by-step explanation:
We have been given the linear regression equation for a data set is y=-2.8x+70.8 where y is the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit and x is the number of hours since 8 am.
We can see that our given line is in slope-intercept form: [tex]y=mx+b[/tex], where, m = Slope of line and b = y-intercept.
Upon comparing our given equation with slope intercept form we can see that the slope of the equation (m) is -2.8. The slope represents that temperature is dropping at a rate of 2.8 Fahrenheit per hour after 8 am.