Problema Solution

Curtis will run 4 miles the first week of training and increase the mileage by one mile each week. With another schedule, Curtis will run 1 mile the first week and increase his total mileage by 2 miles each week. During what week do the two schedules break even? How many miles will Curtis run during this week?

Answer provided by our tutors

Let

x = the number of weeks

y = the miles run after x weeks

According to the first schedule: 

y = x + 4

According to the second schedule:

y = 2x + 1

The schedules break even means:

x + 4 = 2x + 1

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click here to see the equation solved for x

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x = 3 week

After 3 weeks (on the forth week) the two schedules break even.

The number of miles ran on the forth week is:

y = 3 + 4

y = 7 mi