Question

Scientists in a test lab are testing the hardness of a surface before constructing a building. Calculations indicate that the entire structure would sink by a certain amount for every additional floor that is added. If the maximum permissible limit for depression of the structure is 20 centimeters, how many floors can be safely added to the building?

14
15
18
23

Answer 1

1st find the slope of the line:
(11-5)/(8.2-2.3) = 6/5.9 = 1.01

Find the equation of the line:

y - 5 = 1.01(x - 2.3)
y - 5 = 1.01x - 2.323
y = 1.01x + 2.667

Now set x to 20
y = 1.01(20) + 2.667
y = 20.2 + 2.667
y = 22.867 floors ~ 23 floors