18
QuizMultiple Choice

Inverse Variation

Question 18 • EAP-Algebra Functions and Data Analysis B

The weight of a person on or above the surface of the earth varies inversely as the square of the distance the person is from the center of the earth. If a person weighs 180 pounds on the surface of the earth and the radius of the earth is 3900 miles, what will the person weigh if he or she is 325 miles above the earth's surface? Round your answer to the nearest hundredth of a pound.

Answer
A
154.77 lb
B
153.77 lb
C
152.87 lb
D
153.37 lb

Explanation

Because weight varies inversely with the square of the distance from Earth’s center, the weight at 4,225 miles from the center is 180 × (3,900 ÷ 4,225)². The new distance is 3,900 + 325 = 4,225 miles, so the calculation gives about 153.37 pounds. The correct choice is 153.37 lb.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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