Question 73483This question is from textbook Algebra and Trigonometry
: Here is a problem from Foersters Algebra and Trigonometry. The section is variation functions.
"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?"
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?
This question is from textbook Algebra and Trigonometry
Found 2 solutions by checkley75, Earlsdon:
Answer by checkley75(3666)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! 2000/15=133 1/3 IS THE VALUE TO MULTIPLY THE LENGTH BY TO GET THE WEIGHT OF THE SHARK. OR
15/2000=.0075 IS THE MULTIPLIER IF YOU ARE GIVEN THE WEIGHT AND NEED TO FIND THE LENGTH OF THE SHARK.
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! 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.
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:
2000 = k(15) Divide by 15.
k = 133.33...
The final variation can be written:
W = 133.3L
In word...A shark's weight in pounds is 133.3 times its length in feet.
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