Question

Amy and Margaret has stopped at the bottom of one of the highest waterfalls in Cascade State Park as any looked up at the waterfall. Emi said wow I think the top of that waterfall is about 20 ft more than three times the height of a young Redwood. Margaret had a different opinion she said no I think it's about 50 ft less than 4 times the height of the Redwood. If both are approximately right about how tall is the Redwood and how high is the waterfall?

Answer 1

1. You have to make a system of equations.

 2. The problem gives the following information: 

 - . Emi said wow I think the top of that waterfall is about 20 ft more than three times the height of a young Redwood.

 - Margaret had a different opinion she said no I think it's about 50 ft less than 4 times the height of the Redwood.

 3. So, you have:

 y: the height of the waterfall.
 x: the height of the Redwood

 4. The equations are:

 y=3x+20   (i)
 y=4x-50    (ii)

 3x+20=4x-50
 x=70 ft

 y=3x+20
 y=230 ft

 How tall is the Redwood and how high is the waterfall?

 The Redwood: 70 ft
 The waterfall: 230 ft