Question

Amy and Margaret has stopped at the bottom of one of the highest waterfalls in Cascade State Park as any looked up at the waterfall. Emi said wow I think the top of that waterfall is about 20 ft more than three times the height of a young Redwood. Margaret had a different opinion she said no I think it's about 50 ft less than 4 times the height of the Redwood. If both are approximately right about how tall is the Redwood and how high is the waterfall?

Answer 1

1. You have to make a system of equations.

2. The problem gives the following information:

- . Emi said wow I think the top of that waterfall is about 20 ft more than three times the height of a young Redwood.

- Margaret had a different opinion she said no I think it's about 50 ft less than 4 times the height of the Redwood.

3. So, you have:

y: the height of the waterfall.
x: the height of the Redwood

4. The equations are:

y=3x+20 (i)
y=4x-50 (ii)

3x+20=4x-50
x=70 ft

y=3x+20
y=230 ft

How tall is the Redwood and how high is the waterfall?

The Redwood: 70 ft
The waterfall: 230 ft