Problema Solution
A certain mountain has an elevation of 19,128 feet. In 1916, the glacier on this peak covered 10 acres. By 2003 this glacier had melted to only 1 acre.
(A) Assume that this glacier melted at a constant rate each year. Find this yearly rate.
(B) Use your answer from part (a) to write a linear equation that gives the acreage A of this glacier t years past 1916.
The yearly rate of change is __ acres/year.
What is the equation that gives the acreage of the glacier t years after 1916?
A=?
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Solution:
Year1 : 1916
Year2 : 2003
Acres in Year 1: 10 acres
Acres in Year 2: 1 acre
Rate of Change = (Y1 - Y2)/(X2 - X1)= (10 - 1 acres)/(2003 - 1916 years)
= (9 acres)/(87 years)
= 0.09278 acres/year
If the loss of acreage is L in time "t" years, then L= 0.099278t.
the initial acreage is 9/87
So the Equation is A= 9/87t + 9