SOLUTION: a 13 inch candle is lit and begins to burn at a constant rate.aftter 1.5 minutes,the candles new height is 2.5 inches.write a linear function for the height of the candle as a func

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: a 13 inch candle is lit and begins to burn at a constant rate.aftter 1.5 minutes,the candles new height is 2.5 inches.write a linear function for the height of the candle as a func      Log On


   

Question 701369: a 13 inch candle is lit and begins to burn at a constant rate.aftter 1.5 minutes,the candles new height is 2.5 inches.write a linear function for the height of the candle as a function of time .

what will be the height of the candle after 2 minutes ?
Answer by graphmatics(170) About Me  (Show Source):
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Let z be the constant rate of decline in inches of the burning candle. clearly after x minutes the candle will have declined z%2Ax inches. At the rate of z, after x minutes the height y of the candle is given by y=13-z%2Ax inches. We know that at x=1.5 minutes the height of the candle is 2.5 inches, so for the given decline rate of z inches per minute, 2.5=13-1.5%2Az. We solve this expression for the decline rate z, i.e. z=%282.5-13%29%2F%28-1.5%29=7 inches per minute. Our candle height of y inches of the candle after x minutes is given by the expression y=13-7%2Ax.