To solve this problem, we need to use the win to loss ratio from the previous records and apply it to predict the losses for the next year.
Firstly, let’s examine the win to loss ratios for each given year:
1. For 18 wins and 2 losses:
[tex]\[
\frac{18}{2} = 9
\][/tex]
2. For 45 wins and 5 losses:
[tex]\[
\frac{45}{5} = 9
\][/tex]
3. For 36 wins and 4 losses:
[tex]\[
\frac{36}{4} = 9
\][/tex]
As you can see, the win to loss ratio has been consistently 9 each year.
Next year, Will predicts that the team will win 27 games. Given the consistent win to loss ratio of 9, we can set up the following equation to find the predicted number of losses ([tex]\( x \)[/tex]):
[tex]\[
\frac{27}{x} = 9
\][/tex]
To solve for [tex]\( x \)[/tex], we rearrange the equation:
[tex]\[
x = \frac{27}{9}
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
x = 3
\][/tex]
Therefore, the predicted number of losses, when the team wins 27 games, is 3.
Thus, the correct answer is:
1. [tex]\( \boxed{3} \)[/tex]
