Chapter 2: Problem 98
The following data are exactly linear. $$ \begin{array}{cccccc} x & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 \\ \hline y & 0.4 & 3.5 & 6.6 & 9.7 & 12.8 \end{array} $$ (a) Find a linear function \(f\) that models the data. (b) Solve the inequality \(2 \leq f(x) \leq 8\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The linear function is \(f(x) = 3.1x - 2.7\); the solution to the inequality is \(1.516 \leq x \leq 3.452\).
Step by step solution
01
Understanding Linear Function Form
A linear function is generally expressed as \(f(x) = mx + b\), where \(m\) is the slope, and \(b\) is the y-intercept. To find these, we need to calculate \(m\) and \(b\) from the data.
02
Calculate the Slope \(m\)
To find the slope \(m\), use the formula \(m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}\). Using the points \((1, 0.4)\) and \((2, 3.5)\), we compute: \[ m = \frac{3.5 - 0.4}{2 - 1} = 3.1 \] Thus, the slope \(m\) is 3.1.
03
Calculate the Y-Intercept \(b\)
Choose a point, say \((1, 0.4)\), and use the formula \(y = mx + b\). Substitute \(m = 3.1\), \(x = 1\), and \(y = 0.4\): \[ 0.4 = 3.1 \cdot 1 + b \] Solving for \(b\), we get: \[ b = 0.4 - 3.1 = -2.7 \] The y-intercept \(b\) is -2.7.
04
Formulate the Linear Function
Using the slope and y-intercept, the linear model is: \( f(x) = 3.1x - 2.7 \).
05
Solve the Inequality
We need to solve the compound inequality \(2 \leq f(x) \leq 8\). Substitute \(f(x) = 3.1x - 2.7\) into the inequality:\[ 2 \leq 3.1x - 2.7 \leq 8 \] Step 1: Solve \(2 \leq 3.1x - 2.7\):\[ 3.1x \geq 4.7 \Rightarrow x \geq \frac{4.7}{3.1} \approx 1.516 \]Step 2: Solve \(3.1x - 2.7 \leq 8\):\[ 3.1x \leq 10.7 \Rightarrow x \leq \frac{10.7}{3.1} \approx 3.452 \]
06
Write the Solution to the Inequality
The solution to the inequality is:\[ 1.516 \leq x \leq 3.452 \]This is the range of \(x\) values for which the inequality \(2 \leq f(x) \leq 8\) is true.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Slope Calculation
When working with linear functions, the slope is a crucial factor. It tells us how steep the line is and the direction it slopes. In mathematical terms, the slope is represented as \(m\). For any two points \((x_1, y_1)\) and \((x_2, y_2)\) on a line, the slope is calculated using the formula:
- \( m = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \)
- **Change in Y**: This is found by subtracting the first \(y\)-coordinate from the second: \(y_2 - y_1\).
- **Change in X**: Subtract the first \(x\)-coordinate from the second: \(x_2 - x_1\).
- Divide the change in \(y\) by the change in \(x\) to get the slope \(m\).
Y-Intercept Determination
The y-intercept of a linear function is where the line crosses the \(y\)-axis. This is typically symbolized as \(b\) in the line's equation \(f(x) = mx + b\). Understanding and finding \(b\) helps you chart the whole line accurately without needing to plot multiple points.To find the y-intercept:
- **Choose an \((x,y)\) pair**: You can use any point from your data for this purpose. In our example, we used \((1, 0.4)\).
- **Substitute** the values into the linear equation after inserting the known slope \(m\).
- **Solve for \(b\)**: Rearrange the equation to find the value of \(b\).
- Start with \(0.4 = 3.1 \cdot 1 + b\)
- Rearrange to solve for \(b\): \(b = 0.4 - 3.1 = -2.7\)
Solving Inequalities
Inequalities help us to determine a range of possible values for a variable, rather than a single solution. When dealing with a linear function like \(f(x) = 3.1x - 2.7\), we can use inequalities to find the range of \(x\) values that will satisfy certain conditions.Consider the inequality \(2 \leq f(x) \leq 8\):
- This is a compound inequality which means we need to solve it in two parts.
- Firstly, solve \(2 \leq 3.1x - 2.7\) to find the lower bound.
- Secondly, solve \(3.1x - 2.7 \leq 8\) for the upper bound.
- Add 2.7 to both sides: \(2 + 2.7 \leq 3.1x\)
- Simplify and divide by 3.1: \(x \geq \frac{4.7}{3.1} \approx 1.516\)
- Add 2.7 to both sides: \(3.1x \leq 8 + 2.7\)
- Simplify and divide by 3.1: \(x \leq \frac{10.7}{3.1} \approx 3.452\)