Question

"The equation y=1.09x describes the approximate number of yards y in x meters." (a)Would Negative values of x have any meaning in this situation? explain. (b) how many meters is a 40yd race?

Answer 1

a) no because x is length and it can't be negative
b) 40=1.09x (÷1.09)

40÷1.09=1.09x÷1.09=x
x=36.697m
x~=36.7

Answer 2

Answer: Hello there!

we have the equation y = 1.09x, that describes the number of yards y in x meters.

a) Yes, if you have negative numbers of x (this means negative meters, this is used usually to denothe something that is behind the observer) then the equation transform them into negative yards.

b) in this case you want to know how many meters are in 40yd, then we replace y by 40yd in the equation:

40 = 1.09x

x = 40/1.09 = 36.7 meters

so in a 40yd race, there are 36.7 meters.