Question 488396
In January, canned apricots cost 68 cents. Canned peaches cost 78 cents. During the year, the price of apricots increased 4 cents per month. The price of peaches increased 2 cents per month. Find the month when both items sold for the same price.
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Assuming a straight line relationship, the following standard form for an equation of a straight line can be used: y=mx+b, m=slope, b=y-intercept.
For given problem:
For apricots:
slope=4ç/mo
y-intercept=68ç 
let x=month (1= January)
Equation: y=.04x+.68=price of apricots after x months
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For peaches:
slope=2ç/mo
y-intercept=78ç 
let x=month (1=January)
Equation: y=.02x+.78=price of peaches after x months
..
price of apricots=price of peaches
.04x+.68=.02x+.78
.02x=.10
x=5
..
ans:
Apricots and peaches will be sold for the same price in the month of May
See the graph below as a visual check on the answer. (Green line for apricots, red line for peaches)
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{{{ graph( 300, 300, -1, 10, -1, 2,.04x+.68,.02x+.78) }}}