A hot air balloon 70 meters above the ground is falling at a constant rate of 6 meters per second while another hot air balloon 10 meters above the ground is rising at a constant rate of 15 meters per second. To the nearest tenth of a second, after how many seconds will the 2 balloons be the same height above the ground?

Question

mertsj · Answer

Let x be the number of seconds until they are the same height.
Height of first balloon:  70-6x

mertsj · Answer

Do you understand that?

anonymous · Answer

Yes,I know why your writing the equation like that

mertsj · Answer

Then you write the expression for the height of the balloon that is rising.

anonymous · Answer

will that equatin be 10+15x ?

mertsj · Answer

Yes.  Very good.  Now set the two heights equal and solve for x

anonymous · Answer

but what should i be plugging in for x? what amount of seconds?

mertsj · Answer

Did you write the equation that says the two heights are equal?

mertsj · Answer

Height of first balloon: 70-6x
Height of second  balloon:  will that equatin be 10+15x

mertsj · Answer

Set the two heights equal to each other and solve.  Remember the problem asks:  after how many seconds will the 2 balloons be the same height above the ground?

And x is :  Let x be the number of seconds until they are the same height.

anonymous · Answer

I got 2.85771 as my answer?

mertsj · Answer

What did the directions say to do with your answer?

anonymous · Answer

"TO THE NEAREST TENTH* so then that will be 2.8 ?? i think

mertsj · Answer

What is the next digit after the 8?

anonymous · Answer

5. Will the final answer be then 2.85 ?

mertsj · Answer

So should you round the 8 up to 9 or leave it an 8?

anonymous · Answer

round it up! then it will be 2.9

mertsj · Answer

yep

anonymous · Answer

thanks

mertsj · Answer

yw