Question

A linear function models the height of a burning candle. Candle A comes out of the mold at 211 ​mm, and is expected to be at 187 mm after 8 hours of burning. The model for Candle B is h=210−5t​, where h is the height in millimeters and t is the time in hours. What are the initial values for each​ candle? What do the initial values for each candle tell​ you?

Answer 1

Given:

Candle A comes out of the mold at 211 ​mm, and is expected to be at 187 mm after 8 hours of burning.

The model for Candle B is

`h=210-5t`

where, h is the height in millimeters and t is the time in hours.

To find:

The initial values for each​ candle and its interpretation.

Solution:

Candle A comes out of the mold at 211 ​mm, and is expected to be at 187 mm after 8 hours of burning.

So, initial value of candle A = 211 mm

The model for Candle B is

`h=210-5t`

Putting t=0, we get

`h=210-5(0)`

`h=210-0`

`h=210`

So, initial value of candle B = 210 mm

Initial values for each candle tell​ you about the height of the candles before they start burning.

Initial value of candle A is greater than B, so the height of candle A is greater than B before they start burning.

Therefore, the initial value of candle A is 211 mm and initial value of candle B is 210 mm.