Question

The predicted thickness of the ice covering a certain pond in January is given by the formula T = (x − 1)r − 2p, where T is the thickness in centimeters. If the quantity p increases by 1, what will be the change in the predicted thickness of the ice?

Answer 1

Answer: The change in the predicted thickness of the ice is -2 or the thickness of ice decreases by 2.

Explanation:

Given: The predicted thickness of the ice covering a certain pond in January is given by the formula,

`T=(x-1)r-2p` where T is the thickness in centimeters.

If the quantity p increases by 1, then the predicted thickness of the ice covering a certain pond is given by the formula

`T'=(x-1)r-2(p+1)`

The change in the predicted thickness of the ice is give by:-

`T'-T=(x-1)r-2(p+1)-((x-1)r-2p)\\=(x-1)r-2p-2-(x-1)r+2p\\=-2`

Hence, the change in the predicted thickness of the ice is -2 or the thickness of ice decreases by 2.