Systems of Linear Equations
Method 2 Use a table. Write the equations in slope-intercept form.
Enter the equations in the Y= screen as Y1 and Y2. View the table. Adjust the x-values until you see
When
Biology The diagrams show the birth lengths and growth rates of two species of shark. If the growth rates stay the same, at what age would a Spiny Dogfish and a Greenland shark be the same length?
Step 1 Define the variables and write the equation for the length of each shark.
Let x = age in years.
Let y = length in centimeters.
Length of Greenland: |
|
Length of Spiny Dogfish: |
|
Step 2 Use the table to solve the problem.
List x-values until the corresponding y-values match.
How can you use slope-intercept form to write each equation?
Use the growth rate for m and the length at birth for b.
The sharks will be the same length when they are 20 years old.
Age | Greenland | Spiny Dogfish |
---|---|---|
x |
|
|
15 | 48.25 | 44.5 |
16 | 49 | 46 |
⋮ | ⋮ | ⋮ |
20 | 52 | 52 |