Question

A farmer finds there is a linear relationship between the number of bean stalks, n , she plants and the yield, y , each plant produces. When she plants 30 stalks, each plant yields 25 oz of beans. When she plants 32 stalks, each plant produces 24 oz of beans. Find a linear relationship in the form y=mn+b that gives the yield when n stalks are planted.

Answer 1

Answer:

  y = -1/2n +40

Step-by-step explanation:

We are given two ordered pairs (stalks, ounces) and asked for the slope-intercept form equation of the line through them.

Slope

The slope of the desired line can be found from the formula ...

  m = (y2 -y1)/(x2 -x1)

For the given points (30, 25) and (32, 24), the slope is ...

  m = (24 -25)/(32 -30) = -1/2

Y-intercept

The y-intercept of the desired line can be found from the formula ...

  b = y -mn

  b = 25 -(-1/2)(30) = 25 +15 = 40

Slope-intercept equation

The slope-intercept equation of a line is ...

  y = mn +b . . . . . line with slope m and y-intercept b

  y = -1/2n +40 . . . . . . line with slope -1/2 and y-intercept 40

The linear relationship between stalks (n) and yield (y) is ...

  y = -1/2n +40