SOLUTION: The length of Jims leader is always 2 feet shorter than the length of his fishing rod. If the product of the length of the leader and the length of the rod equals strength of his l

Algebra ->  Systems-of-equations -> SOLUTION: The length of Jims leader is always 2 feet shorter than the length of his fishing rod. If the product of the length of the leader and the length of the rod equals strength of his l      Log On


   

Question 66527: The length of Jims leader is always 2 feet shorter than the length of his fishing rod. If the product of the length of the leader and the length of the rod equals strength of his line in lbs and he uses 16 lbs line, What is the length of his leader?
Answer by Nate(3500) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
length of fishing rod = r
length of the leader = r - 2
(length of fishing rod)(length of the leader) = strength of line in pounds
(r)(r - 2) = 16
r^2 - 2r = 16
(r - 1)^2 = 17
r - 1 = +- sqrt%2817%29
r = 1+%2B-+sqrt%2817%29
You can use other ways to solve the quadratic function.
1+-+sqrt%2817%29+=+-3.1231056....
You can not have a lenght of negative value, so you have:
1+%2B+sqrt%2817%29+=+5.1231056....