Question

Tyler just lit a new candle and then let it burn all the way down to nothing. The initial length of the candle was 15 inches and the candle burned at a rate of 1.25 inches per hour. Write an equation for L,L, in terms of t,t, representing the length of the candle remaining unburned, in inches, tt hours after the candle was lit.

Answer 1

Answer:

15 in - (1.25 in/hr)t

Step-by-step explanation:

L(t) is a function of time, t:  L(t) = 15 in - (1.25 in/hr)t

Note that when the candle has burned down to nothing, L(t) = 0.  How long does that take?  Set 15 in - (1.25 in/hr)t equal to zero and solve for t:

(1.25 in/hr)t = 15 in, or

         15 in

t = ---------------- = 12 hrs

     1.25 in/hr