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| Question 430403:  In 1920, the record for a certain race was 45.1 seconds. In 1950, it was 44.8 seconds. Let R(t)= the record in the race and t= the number of years since 1920. Find a linear function that fits the data. Find the year when the record will be 44.12 sec.
 Answer by nerdybill(7384)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! In 1920, the record for a certain race was 45.1 seconds. In 1950, it was 44.8 seconds. Let R(t)= the record in the race and t= the number of years since 1920. Find a linear function that fits the data. Find the year when the record will be 44.12 sec. .
 year| x-value | y-value
 1920|   0     |   45.1
 1950|  30     |   44.8
 .
 two points provided then is:
 (0, 45.1)
 (30,44.8)
 .
 Slope:
 (y2-y1)/(x2-x1)
 (44.8-45.1)/(30-0)
 (-0.3)/(30)
 -0.01
 .
 using one point (0,45.1) and the slope -.01
 plug into the "point-slope" form
 y - y1 = m(x -x1)
 y - 45.1 = -.01(x -0)
 y - 45.1 = -.01x
 y = -.01x+45.1
 .
 R(t)= -.01t+45.1
 .
 Now, to find when record will be 44.12 -- set it in place of R(t) and solve for t:
 44.12 = -.01t+45.1
 -0.98 = -.01t
 98 = t (years after 1920)
 answer then is
 1920+98 = 2018
 
 
 
 
 
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