Modeling with Systems Answers

A coordinate grid is mapped on a video game screen, with the origin in the lower-left corner. A game designer programs a helicopter to follow a path that can be modeled by a quadratic function with a vertex at (16, 20) and passing through the point (4, 25). She also programs an airplane to move along a linear path that passes through the points (0, 18) and (30, 20). Which system of equations can be used to determine whether the paths of the helicopter and airplane cross?

At a skills competition, a target is being lifted into the air by a cable at a constant speed. An archer standing on the ground launches an arrow toward the target. The system of equations below models the height, in feet, of the target and the arrow t seconds after it was fired. Which statement most likely describes the situation modeled by this system?

A lighthouse is located at (1, 2) in a coordinate system measured in miles. A sailboat starts at (–7, 8) and sails in a positive x-direction along a path that can be modeled by a quadratic function with a vertex at (2, –6). Which system of equations can be used to determine whether the boat comes within 5 miles of the lighthouse?

In the first equation in the system of equations, y represents the money collected from selling sweatshirts. In the second equation, y represents the money spent to produce x sweatshirts with team logos on them for a professional sports league. What does the solution of the system represent in this context?

The first equation in the system models the height, h, of a falling volleyball as a function of time, t. The second equation models the height, h, of the hands of a player jumping up to spike the ball as a function of time, t. Which statement describes the situation modeled by this system?

Hector needs 84 feet of fencing to enclose his rectangular garden. The length of his garden is 12 feet less than twice its width. What is the width of his garden?

A radio tower is located on a coordinate system measured in miles. The range of a signal in a particular direction is modeled by a quadratic function where the boundary of the signal starts at the vertex at (4, 2). It passes through the point (5, 4). A linear road connects points (–3, 7) and (8, 2). Which system of equations can be used to determine whether the road intersects the boundary of the tower’s signal?

Graham and Hunter are circus performers. A cable lifts Graham into the air at a constant speed of 1.5 ft/s. When Graham’s arms are 18 ft above the ground, Hunter, who is standing directly underneath Graham, throws Graham a ball as the cable continues to lift him higher. Hunter throws the ball from a position 5 ft above the ground with an initial velocity of 24 ft/s. Which system of equations can be used to model this situation?

A company plans to sell a new type of vacuum cleaner for $280 each. The company’s financial planner estimates that the cost, y, of manufacturing the vacuum cleaners is a quadratic function with a y-intercept of 11,000 and a vertex of (500, 24,000). Which system of equations can be used to determine how many vacuums must be sold for the company to make a profit?

The width of a rectangular field is 20 feet less than its length. The area of the field is 12,000 ft2. What is the length of the field?