Final answer:
Fred and Jenny's cookie dough sales can be compared using linear algebra to determine when Jenny will catch up to Fred, by setting up equations based on their daily sales and Fred's head start and solving for the number of days.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fred and Jenny are both participating in a fundraiser by selling cookie dough. Fred has already managed to sell some, while Jenny is starting from zero. To figure out when Jenny might catch up with Fred or how their sales progress, one could set up linear equations based on how many tubs they sell each day and compare their total sales over time.
In general, if Fred sells 7 tubs a day and Jenny sells 8 tubs a day, you could compare their sales by using the equation: Fred's sales = 10 + 7x (where x represents days), and Jenny's sales = 8x. To find out when Jenny will catch up to Fred, set these two equations equal to each other and solve for x.
This type of problem uses linear algebra to predict and compare outcomes based on different starting points and rates of change, which is a fundamental concept in mathematics and business scenarios where sales are tracked over time.