Problema Solution
Jerry is 50 inches tall and is growing at the rate of 1/24 inch per month. Adam is 47 inches tall and is growing at the rate of 1/8 inch per month. If they continue to grow at these rates for the next 4 yeas, in how many months will they be the same height? Solve 2 ways and specify the basic math concept used to support the solution
Answer provided by our tutors
let x = the number of months they need to reach the same hight
after x months Jerry will be: 50 + (1/24)x inches tall
after x months Adam will be: 47 + (1/8)x inches tall
50 + (1/24)x = 47 + (1/8)x
by solving we find
x = 36 months
click here to see the step by step solution of the equation
after 36 months they will be the same height.
the same problem can be solved by finding the intersection of the lines
y = 50 + (1/24)x and y = 47 + (1/8)x
the height y expressed as a function of the number of months x
click here to see the graph of these two functions
by solving the system
y = 50 + (1/24)x
y = 47 + (1/8)x
we find the solution
x = 36
click here to see the step by step solution of the system of equations