Question

A red candle is 8 inches tall and burns at a rate of 7/10 inch per hour.

A blue candle is 6 inches tall and burns at a rate of 1/5 inch per hour.

After how many hours will both candles be the same height?

Answer 1

4 Hours

Explanation:

we will set up two linear equations first by taking the initial height if each candle and subtracting the rate they burn at times our input variable of time (x) equal to height (y)

So, 8-7/10x=y and 6-1/5x=y

then, because both equations equal y you can set them equal to each other so

8-7/10x=6-1/5x

Finally, solve for x

8-7/10x=6-1/5x

subtract 6 from both sides

2-7/10x=-1/5x

add 7/10 x to both sides (1/5x=2/10x)

2=5/10x

simplify

2=1/2x

x=4