Question

A local zoo has two large snakes. The anaconda is currently 5.23 meters long and grows 1.27 meters every month. The python is 4.76 meters long and grows 2.04 meters per month. How many months (m) does the zookeeper need to wait for the two snakes to be the same length?

Answer 1

1 months

Explanation:

Given

Anaconda

`Length = 5.23m`

`Growth = 1.27m` monthly

Python:

`Length = 4.76m`

`Growth = 2.04m` monthly

Required

Determine when their length will be equal

First, we need to write equations that determines the growth of each snake in m months.

For both snakes;

`Expression = Length + Growth * m`

For the Anaconda, the expression is:

`5.23 + 1.27 * m`

`5.23 + 1.27 m` --- (1)

For the Python, the expression is

`4.76 + 2.04 * m`

`4.76 + 2.04m` ---- (2)

Both snakes will have equal length when both expressions (1 & 2) are equal

`4.76 + 2.04m = 5.23 + 1.27 m`

Collect Like Terms

`2.04m - 1.27 m= 5.23 - 4.76`

`0.77 m= 0.47`

Solve for m

`m = (0.47)/(0.77)`

`m = 0.61`

`m = 1` --- Approximated

Hence, the zookeeper will wait for 1 month