Step 1 :An SUV is purchased new for $31,500.
Step 2 :The vehicle is depreciated by $3150 per year.
Step 3 :We can represent the value of the vehicle t years after purchase with a linear function of the form y=mt+b.
Step 4 :Here, m represents the rate of depreciation per year, and b represents the initial value of the vehicle.
Step 5 :So, m = -3150 (since the value is decreasing each year) and b = 31500 (the initial value of the vehicle).
Step 6 :Substituting these values into the equation gives us the model for the value of the car t years after purchase: \(y = -3150t + 31500\).
Step 7 :\(\boxed{y = -3150t + 31500}\) is the final answer.