Question

An​ alligator's tail​ length, T, varies directly as its body​ length, B. An alligator with a body length of 4.5 feet has a tail length of 3.5 feet. What is the tail length of an alligator whose body length is 5.4 ​feet? decorative image

Answer 1

If and only if it is a proportional relationship, the problem can be solved by creating a proportion of B1/T1=B2/T2. This can also be expressed as 4.5/3.5=5.4/x given the values. You must cross multiply, so 4.5x=3.5(5.4). This simplifies to x=4.2. So, the tail length would be 4.2 feet.

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