Problema Solution

Felipe is driving to Dallas. Suppose that the distance to his destination (in miles) is a linear function of his total driving time (in minutes). Felipe has

57

miles to his destination after

21

minutes of driving, and he has

45

miles to his destination after

37

minutes of driving. How many miles will he have to his destination after

49

minutes of driving

Answer provided by our tutors

A linear function has the following form:

y = a + bx

In our case y will be the destination and x the time.

y = 57 mi for x = 21 min

a + 21b = 57

y = 45 mi for x = 37 min

a + 37b = 45

We have the following system of equations:

a + 21b = 57

a + 37b = 45

........

click here to see the system of equations solved for a and b

........

a = 291/4

b = - 3/4

y = 291/4 + (-3/4)x

Plug x = 49 min

y = 291/4 + (-3/4)*49

y = 36 mi

Felipe has 36 miles to his destination after 49 minutes of driving.