Question

You plant an 8-inch-tall tomato plant that grows 5 inches taller each week. On the same day, you plant a 14-inch-tall tomato plant that grows 3.5 inches taller each week.

Answer 1

The student's question involves creating and solving linear equations to analyze the growth patterns of two tomato plants, which is a topic in middle school mathematics.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question involves analyzing the growth patterns of two tomato plants over a period of time, which is a mathematical problem involving linear equations and growth rates. To solve problems like these, one would typically create equations that represent the growth of each plant and then compare them to make predictions about their future heights or determine when they will be the same height if ever. In the given scenario, the first tomato plant starts at 8 inches and grows at a rate of 5 inches per week, while the second tomato plant starts at 14 inches and grows at a rate of 3.5 inches per week. Determining how long it will take for the second plant to surpass the first in height, or if they will ever be of equal height, would require solving a system of linear equations which is a common topic in middle school algebra.

Answer 2

What is the question we are meant to answer?