A few problems i've come across some trouble with.

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around two distinct problems: the first involves finding the break-even sales by equating revenue and cost functions, while the second pertains to calculating the slope and length of a conveyor system based on given dimensions. The subject area includes algebra and geometry, particularly focusing on quadratic equations and proportional reasoning.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the setup of the equations for revenue and cost, questioning the validity of their quadratic results. There are attempts to clarify the relationship between the slope of the conveyor and its dimensions, with some participants expressing uncertainty about unit conversions and proportional reasoning.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into their calculations and questioning each other's approaches. Some have offered guidance on how to set up the equations correctly, while others are still grappling with the implications of their results and the correct interpretation of the problems.

Contextual Notes

There are mentions of potential mistakes in calculations and the need for careful unit consideration, particularly in the second problem where feet and meters are involved. Participants are also navigating the complexities of quadratic equations and their solutions.

icesalmon
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1. Find the sales necessary to break even (R=C) if the cost C of producing x units is

Given...

Homework Equations


C = 5.5((sqrt(x)) + 10,000 (Cost Equation).
R = 3.29x (Revenue Equation).

The Attempt at a Solution


I thought about what R = C means, your output is equivalent to your input, no? So I followed (R=C) and set the two equations equal; after calculating I come across a quadratic which isn't factorable, so I use the quadratic formula which doesn't yield answers close to the actual value for x which is approximately equal to 3133 units.

Homework Statement


The next problem asks me about a Conveyor design...
"A moving conveyor is built to rise 1 meter for each 3 meters of horizontal change
Find:
A). The slope of the conveyor
B). Suppose the Conveyor runs between two floors in a factory. Find the length of the conveyor if the vertical distance between floors is 10 feet.

Homework Equations


m = (y_2 - y_1) / (x_2 - x_1) The slope formula ( sorry I haven't been aquainted with LaTeX yet, and I didn't have any of the greek letters, delta, copied.)


The Attempt at a Solution


Well, slope is a measure of vertical rise relative to horizontal shifts so the slope, m, is 1 meter up for every 3 meters right. When I make an attempt at the second problem I just think the distance is 20...I know it's completely wrong but I'm at a loss when trying to interperet some of these questions. Thank you all for your time in advance.




Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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Re problem #1: show us what you have for your quadratic. Because I tried it and I was able to get 3133 as one of the solutions.

Re problem #2: Yes, 20 is wrong. This is just a proportional problem. If the conveyor rises 1 meter for every 3 meters of horizontal distance, what would the horizontal distance be if the conveyor rises 10 feet? (You notice that you have two different units, right? Not that it really matters here.)
 
eumyang said:
Re problem #1: show us what you have for your quadratic. Because I tried it and I was able to get 3133 as one of the solutions.

Re problem #2: Yes, 20 is wrong. This is just a proportional problem. If the conveyor rises 1 meter for every 3 meters of horizontal distance, what would the horizontal distance be if the conveyor rises 10 feet? (You notice that you have two different units, right? Not that it really matters here.)

For Problem #1 I have (x-3039.513678)2 = 2.794689628x, I divided by 3.29 on all sides.

For problem #2 the horizontal distance would be 30. I do notice I have feet and meters, the conversion doesn't matter in this step?
 
Last edited:
Recheck your work for mistakes:

For Problem #1 I have (x-3039.513678)2 = 2.794689628x, I divided by 3.29 on all sides.

Equating R and C, a couple of steps should lead to the equivalent of maybe this:

3.29x - 10000 = 5.5[tex]\sqrt{x}[/tex],
and further algebraic steps should be able to give this:

3.292x2-(5.52+2*32900)x+108=0;

Which only may need a slight bit of calculation before using the solution to Quadratic Formula. Substitute corresponding values.

EDIT: included a multiplication by 2, using asterisk as the multiplication symbol. eumyang in #5 found my mistake in which factor of 2 was missing.
 
Last edited:
symbolipoint said:
3.292x2-(5.52+32900)x+108=0;
This is almost correct; that 32900 should be multiplied by 2.

icesalmon said:
For Problem #1 I have (x-3039.513678)2 = 2.794689628x, I divided by 3.29 on all sides.
I have no idea how you got this. What did you do exactly? Show all steps.

This is what you should do:
[tex]3.29x = 5.5\sqrt{x} + 10000[/tex]
Subtract 10000 from both sides, square both sides, and put all terms on one side. Your quadratic should look like this afterwards:
[tex]10.8241x^2 - 65,830.25x + 100,000,000 = 0[/tex]

Re: in problem #2, yes, the different units do not matter.
 
I divide by 3.29 to get x = (5.5)/(3.29)(sqrt(x)) + 10,000/3.29 or 3039.51678
I move 10000/3.29, or 3039.51678, over to the right and get ( x - 3039.51678 ) = 1.7sqrt(x)
I square both sides so I can get that root(x) out of the way to get ( x - 3039.51678 )2 = 2.794689628x
I factor out the left and move the 2.794689628x over
It doesn't factor, so I use the quadratic formula.
 
icesalmon said:
I divide by 3.29 to get x = (5.5)/(3.29)(sqrt(x)) + 10,000/3.29 or 3039.51678
I move 10000/3.29, or 3039.51678, over to the right and get ( x - 3039.51678 ) = 1.7sqrt(x)
I square both sides so I can get that root(x) out of the way to get ( x - 3039.51678 )2 = 2.794689628x
I factor out the left and move the 2.794689628x over
It doesn't factor, so I use the quadratic formula.
If you really want to divide by 3.29 first, then after following your steps, you should get this for your quadratic (approx.):
[tex]x^2 - 6,081.82x + 9,238,643.40 = 0[/tex]

I'm still getting ~3133 as one of the solutions.
 
eumyang said:
If you really want to divide by 3.29 first, then after following your steps, you should get this for your quadratic (approx.):
[tex]x^2 - 6,081.82x + 9,238,643.40 = 0[/tex]

I'm still getting ~3133 as one of the solutions.

Got it, I must have put the numbers in incorrectly. Although a goofy mistake to say the least one that has plagued me for a while. Thanks for your time.
 

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