SAT Question f09097b1: Linear Equations In One Variable answer and explanation with Desmos solution

If the height of the plant increased by an average of $1.20$ centimeters per day for $12$ days, then its total growth over the $12$ days was $1.20\times 12=14.4$ centimeters. The plant was $36.8$ centimeters tall after $12$ days, so at the beginning of the study its height was $36.8-14.4=22.4$ centimeters.

Alternate approach: The equation $36.8=12\times 1.20+h$ can be used to represent this situation, where $h$ is the height of the plant, in centimeters, at the beginning of the study. Solving this equation for $h$ yields $22.4$ centimeters. Note that 112/5, 22.4, and 22.40 are examples of ways to enter a correct answer.