document.write( "Question 73483This question is from textbook Algebra and Trigonometry
\n" ); document.write( ": Here is a problem from Foersters Algebra and Trigonometry. The section is variation functions.
\n" ); document.write( "\"A shark is 15 feet long and weighs 2000 pounds. a. Assuming that all white sharks have similar proportions, how should the weight of a great white shark vary with its length?\"
\n" ); document.write( "I understand how to determine the constant n multiplying the independent variable if I am given 2 variable sets, but how do I do it if I only am given 1 variable set, such as in this problem? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #52599 by Earlsdon(6294) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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Well, with the information provided in the problem, I would assume that there is a direct variation between a shark's weight and its length. If this is true, we can write a direct proportion: W = kL where: W = shark's weight, L = shark's length, ans k = the proportionality constant.
\n" ); document.write( "We can find the value of k from the given information about sharks, W = 2,000 lbs and L = 15 ft. Substituting these values into the equation above:
\n" ); document.write( "2000 = k(15) Divide by 15.
\n" ); document.write( "k = 133.33...
\n" ); document.write( "The final variation can be written:
\n" ); document.write( "W = 133.3L
\n" ); document.write( "In word...A shark's weight in pounds is 133.3 times its length in feet.
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