View Full Version : Finding the zeros of a quadratic function:
Jm720
Oct 14, 2013, 04:40 PM
Driving along a crowded freeway, you notice that it takes a time (t) to go from one mile marker to the next. When you increase your speed by 8.4 mi/hr, the time to go one mile decreases by 14 seconds. What was your original speed?
ma0641
Oct 14, 2013, 08:24 PM
Show us your work and we will try to help. We do not do homework for you.
Celine91
Oct 15, 2013, 12:47 AM
For the first case: t1 = 1/v.. hr
For the second case (speed increase): t2 = 1/(v+8.4)... hr
The time difference is 14 sec = 14/3600 hr
t1-t2 = 14/3600 hr
1/v - 1/(v+8.4) = 14/3600 hr... Work with the left side fraction and then cross multiplication
8.4*3600 = 14 * v * (v + 8.4)
30240 = 14 * v * (v + 8.4)... Simplify again and use calculator to solve 2nd degree equation
V = 42.465 mi /hr
Good luck!