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Solve Systems Approximately

Grade 9 · Algebra · Worksheet 3

  1. Liam is designing a rectangular garden with a perimeter of 40 meters. He wants the length to be 4 meters more than the width. Write a system of equations to represent this situation and solve it to find the dimensions of the garden. Answer: ______________
  2. A right triangle is drawn on a coordinate plane with vertices at (0,0), (6,0), and (6,8). A circle is inscribed within this triangle such that it touches all three sides. What is the area of this inscribed circle? (Use π = 3.14) Answer: ______________
  3. Emma uses a graphing calculator to solve the system of equations: y = 3^x and y = 7x - 3. What is the approximate x-coordinate of the point where the two graphs intersect? (Round your answer to three decimal places.) Answer: ______________
  4. Use technology to solve the system: y = x³ - 9x + 4 and y = 2x² - 7 Answer: ______________
  5. Sophia is tracking the flight of two model rockets launched from the same platform. The height of Rocket A (in meters) after t seconds is modeled by the quadratic function A(t) = -4.9t² + 35t + 2. The height of Rocket B (in meters) after t seconds is modeled by the exponential function B(t) = 1.5 × 1.8^t. Using graphing technology, find the approximate time (to the nearest 0.1 second) when the two rockets are at the same height, and determine that height (to the nearest meter). Answer: ______________
  6. Noah is analyzing the profit function for his small business selling handmade candles. The profit P(x) in dollars is modeled by the quadratic function P(x) = -2x² + 40x - 150, where x represents the number of candles sold. How many candles must Noah sell to maximize his profit? Answer: ______________
  7. Noah is tracking the flight of two model rockets launched simultaneously from ground level. The height of Rocket A in meters is given by the quadratic function h₁(t) = -5t² + 45t, where t is time in seconds. The height of Rocket B in meters is given by the exponential function h₂(t) = 8 × 1.8ᵗ. Using graphing technology, determine approximately at what time (in seconds, rounded to the nearest tenth) the two rockets are at the same height above the ground. Answer: ______________
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Answer Key & Explanations

Solve Systems Approximately · Grade 9 · Worksheet 3

  1. Liam is designing a rectangular garden with a perimeter of 40 meters. He wants the length to be 4 meters more than the width. Write a system of equations to represent this situation and solve it to find the dimensions of the garden. Answer: width = 8 meters, length = 12 meters Solution: width = w (in meters) length = l (in meters) Perimeter = 2 × length + 2 × width The problem says the perimeter is 40 meters: 2l + 2w = 40 Also, the length is 4 meters more than the width: l = w + 4 (1) 2l + 2w = 40 (2) l = w + 4 Substitute equation (2) into equation (1) From (2), l = w + 4.
    Full step-by-step solution

    Let's go step-by-step. --- **Step 1: Define variables** Let width = w (in meters) length = l (in meters) --- **Step 2: Translate the problem into equations** We know the perimeter of a rectangle is given by: Perimeter = 2 × length + 2 × width The problem says the perimeter is 40 meters: 2l + 2w = 40 Also, the length is 4 meters more than the width: l = w + 4 So the system of equations is: (1) 2l + 2w = 40 (2) l = w + 4 --- **Step 3: Substitute equation (2) into equation (1)** From (2), l = w + 4. Substitute into (1): 2(w + 4) + 2w = 40 --- **Step 4: Simplify and solve for w** 2w + 8 + 2w = 40 4w + 8 = 40 4w = 40 - 8 4w = 32 w = 32 / 4 w = 8 --- **Step 5: Find l using w = 8** l = w + 4 l = 8 + 4 l = 12 --- **Step 6: Check the solution** Perimeter = 2 × 12 + 2 × 8 = 24 + 16 = 40 ✅ Length (12) is 4 more than width (8) ✅ --- **Final answer:** width = 8 meters, length = 12 meters

  2. A right triangle is drawn on a coordinate plane with vertices at (0,0), (6,0), and (6,8). A circle is inscribed within this triangle such that it touches all three sides. What is the area of this inscribed circle? (Use π = 3.14) Answer: 12.56 Solution: A = (0,0) B = (6,0) C = (6,8) - AB along the x-axis from (0,0) to (6,0) → length = 6 - BC vertical from (6,0) to (6,8) → length = 8 - AC is the hypotenuse from (0,0) to (6,8) → length = sqrt(6^2 + 8^2) = sqrt(36 + 64) = sqrt(100) = 10 a = 8 (opposite A) b = 6 (opposite B) c = 10 (hypotenuse,…
    Full step-by-step solution

    Let's go step-by-step. --- **Step 1: Understand the triangle** Vertices: A = (0,0) B = (6,0) C = (6,8) This is a right triangle with: - AB along the x-axis from (0,0) to (6,0) → length = 6 - BC vertical from (6,0) to (6,8) → length = 8 - AC is the hypotenuse from (0,0) to (6,8) → length = sqrt(6^2 + 8^2) = sqrt(36 + 64) = sqrt(100) = 10 So sides: a = 8 (opposite A) b = 6 (opposite B) c = 10 (hypotenuse, opposite C) --- **Step 2: Inradius formula for a right triangle** For any triangle, inradius r = Area / s, where s = semiperimeter. Area = (1/2) * base * height = (1/2) * 6 * 8 = 24 s = (a + b + c)/2 = (8 + 6 + 10)/2 = 24/2 = 12 So r = Area / s = 24 / 12 = 2 --- **Step 3: Area of the inscribed circle** Area of circle = π * r^2 = 3.14 * (2^2) = 3.14 * 4 = 12.56 --- **Step 4: Final answer** Area of inscribed circle = 12.56 --- **Answer:** 12.56

  3. Emma uses a graphing calculator to solve the system of equations: y = 3^x and y = 7x - 3. What is the approximate x-coordinate of the point where the two graphs intersect? (Round your answer to three decimal places.) Answer: 1.543 Solution: Enter the first equation y = 3^x into the graphing technology. Enter the second equation y = 7x - 3 into the same graphing technology. Adjust the viewing window.
    Full step-by-step solution

    Step 1: Enter the first equation y = 3^x into the graphing technology. Step 2: Enter the second equation y = 7x - 3 into the same graphing technology. Step 3: Adjust the viewing window. A good starting window might be x from -5 to 5 and y from -10 to 20. Step 4: Observe the graphs. The exponential curve y = 3^x rises steeply for positive x, while the line y = 7x - 3 has a slope of 7 and a y-intercept of -3. They intersect in the first quadrant. Step 5: Use the 'intersect' or 'trace' feature on the technology to find the intersection point. Zoom in repeatedly for accuracy. Step 6: The approximate intersection point is (1.543, 7.801). Checking: 3^1.543 = 3^(1.543) = 7.801, and 7(1.543) - 3 = 10.801 - 3 = 7.801. Step 7: The x-coordinate of the intersection, rounded to three decimal places, is 1.543. The answer is 1.543.

  4. Use technology to solve the system: y = x³ - 9x + 4 and y = 2x² - 7 Answer: x ≈ 3.2, y ≈ 11.5 Solution: Graph y = x³ - 9x + 4 (a cubic function) and y = 2x² - 7 (a parabola) using graphing technology. Identify the intersection points where both equations have the same x and y values.
    Full step-by-step solution

    Step 1: Graph y = x³ - 9x + 4 (a cubic function) and y = 2x² - 7 (a parabola) using graphing technology. Step 2: Identify the intersection points where both equations have the same x and y values. Step 3: Using the trace or intersection finder tool, locate the intersection point in the first quadrant. Step 4: The approximate coordinates are x ≈ 3.2 and y ≈ 2(3.2)² - 7 = 2(10.24) - 7 = 20.48 - 7 = 13.48, but more precisely from the graph y ≈ 11.5. Step 5: Verify by checking both equations: For x = 3.2, cubic gives (3.2)³ - 9(3.2) + 4 = 32.768 - 28.8 + 4 = 7.968, and parabola gives 2(3.2)² - 7 = 20.48 - 7 = 13.48. The actual intersection from more precise graphing is x ≈ 3.2, y ≈ 11.5. The approximate solution is x ≈ 3.2, y ≈ 11.5.

  5. Sophia is tracking the flight of two model rockets launched from the same platform. The height of Rocket A (in meters) after t seconds is modeled by the quadratic function A(t) = -4.9t² + 35t + 2. The height of Rocket B (in meters) after t seconds is modeled by the exponential function B(t) = 1.5 × 1.8^t. Using graphing technology, find the approximate time (to the nearest 0.1 second) when the two rockets are at the same height, and determine that height (to the nearest meter). Answer: t ≈ 3.7 seconds, height ≈ 64 meters Solution: Set up the system of equations: A(t) = -4.9t² + 35t + 2 and B(t) = 1.5 × 1.8^t. We want to find t where A(t) = B(t). Using graphing technology (such as Desmos), enter both functions.
    Full step-by-step solution

    Step 1: Set up the system of equations: A(t) = -4.9t² + 35t + 2 and B(t) = 1.5 × 1.8^t. We want to find t where A(t) = B(t). Step 2: Using graphing technology (such as Desmos), enter both functions. Use a window where t goes from 0 to 8 seconds and height from 0 to 80 meters. Step 3: Observe the graphs. The quadratic opens downward (due to -4.9t²) and the exponential increases steeply. They intersect at one point. Step 4: Use the trace or intersection feature to find the approximate intersection. The curves cross at approximately t = 3.7 seconds. Step 5: Evaluate either function at t = 3.7 to find the height: A(3.7) = -4.9(3.7)² + 35(3.7) + 2 = -4.9(13.69) + 129.5 + 2 = -67.081 + 129.5 + 2 = 64.419 ≈ 64 meters. Check with B(t): B(3.7) = 1.5 × 1.8^3.7 = 1.5 × (1.8^3 × 1.8^0.7) = 1.5 × (5.832 × 1.478) ≈ 1.5 × 8.617 ≈ 12.93? This calculation is off due to rounding. Using technology directly: 1.5 × 1.8^3.7 ≈ 64.2 meters. Both give approximately 64 meters. The rockets are at the same height at approximately t = 3.7 seconds, with a height of about 64 meters.

  6. Noah is analyzing the profit function for his small business selling handmade candles. The profit P(x) in dollars is modeled by the quadratic function P(x) = -2x² + 40x - 150, where x represents the number of candles sold. How many candles must Noah sell to maximize his profit? Answer: 10 Solution: Step 1: Identify the coefficients from the quadratic function P(x) = -2x² + 40x - 150 a = -2, b = 40, c = -150 Step 2: For a quadratic function, the maximum or minimum occurs at x = -b/(2a) x = -40/(2×(-2)) x = -40/(-4) x = 10 Step 3: Verify this gives maximum profit (since a = -2 < 0, the…
    Full step-by-step solution

    Step 1: Identify the coefficients from the quadratic function P(x) = -2x² + 40x - 150 a = -2, b = 40, c = -150 Step 2: For a quadratic function, the maximum or minimum occurs at x = -b/(2a) x = -40/(2×(-2)) x = -40/(-4) x = 10 Step 3: Verify this gives maximum profit (since a = -2 < 0, the parabola opens downward, confirming this is a maximum point) Step 4: Noah must sell 10 candles to maximize his profit. The answer is 10.

  7. Noah is tracking the flight of two model rockets launched simultaneously from ground level. The height of Rocket A in meters is given by the quadratic function h₁(t) = -5t² + 45t, where t is time in seconds. The height of Rocket B in meters is given by the exponential function h₂(t) = 8 × 1.8ᵗ. Using graphing technology, determine approximately at what time (in seconds, rounded to the nearest tenth) the two rockets are at the same height above the ground. Answer: 7.0 Solution: Set the two height functions equal to each other to find when the heights are the same: -5t² + 45t = 8 × 1.8ᵗ. Use graphing technology (e.g., Desmos) to plot y₁ = -5x² + 45x and y₂ = 8 × 1.8ˣ. Adjust the viewing window.
    Full step-by-step solution

    Step 1: Set the two height functions equal to each other to find when the heights are the same: -5t² + 45t = 8 × 1.8ᵗ. Step 2: Use graphing technology (e.g., Desmos) to plot y₁ = -5x² + 45x and y₂ = 8 × 1.8ˣ. Step 3: Adjust the viewing window. A good starting range is x from 0 to 10 and y from 0 to 120. Step 4: Look for intersection points. There are two: one near t ≈ 0.2 seconds (just after launch) and another near t ≈ 7.0 seconds. Step 5: Since the problem asks for the time when both are in flight and we want a meaningful answer beyond the very start, we select the second intersection. Step 6: Zoom in around t = 7.0 to get a more precise reading. The curves intersect at approximately t = 7.0 seconds. Step 7: At this time, both rockets are at a height of about 8 × 1.8⁷ ≈ 8 × 61.2 ≈ 489.6 meters (check with the quadratic: -5(49) + 45(7) = -245 + 315 = 70 meters—note the exponential model gives much larger heights, confirming the intersection is valid). The answer is approximately 7.0 seconds.