Question

Sara has agreed to help with her younger sister's science fair experiment. Her sister planted string beans in two pots. She is

using a different fertilizer in each pot to see which one will grow the tallest plant. Currently, plant A is 4 inches tall and
grows 2/3 inch per day, while plant B is 9 inches tall and grows 1/2 inch per day. If the plants continue growing at these rates
in how many days will the two plants be the same height? Which plant will be tallest in six weeks? Write a system of
equations and solve.

Answer 1

Answer: plants are same height in 30 days; Plant A is tallest in 6 weeks

Explanation:

x = number of days

4 + (2/3)x = 9 + (1/2)x

(2/3)x - (1/2)x = 9 - 4

(1/6)x = 5

x = 30, number of days for Plant A and Plant B to be same height.

6 wks = 42 days

Plant A in 42 days: 4 + (2/3)(42) = 32 inches

Plant B in 42 days: 9 + (1/2)(42) = 30 inches