[tex]\bf \stackrel{\textit{initial length of the snake at 0 months, a = 0}}{L=\cfrac{7}{4}(0+5)\implies L=\cfrac{35}{4}\implies L=8.75}
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\stackrel{\textit{length of the snake at 5 months, a = 5}}{L=\cfrac{7}{4}(5+5)\implies L=\cfrac{70}{4}\implies L=17.5}[/tex]
since the snake is 8.75 inches originally, over the next 5 months it grew to 17.5, so the difference of 17.5 - 8.75 = 8.75, meaning the snake really grew only 8.75 inches over the 5 months, from its original 8.75 inches in length.
Courtesy of @Banabanana.