/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 20 The tallest snowman ever recorde... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

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The tallest snowman ever recordedreally a snow woman named Olympia-was built by residents of Bethel, Maine, and surrounding towns. Her body and head together made up her total record height of 122 ft. The body was \(2 \mathrm{ft}\) longer than 14 times the height of the head. What were the separate heights of Olympia's head and body?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The head is 8 feet, and the body is 114 feet.

Step by step solution

01

- Define Variables

Let's denote the height of Olympia's head as \(h\) feet. The height of the body will be represented as \(b\) feet.
02

- Set Up the Equations

From the problem statement, we have two key pieces of information:1. The total height of Olympia is 122 feet.2. The body is 2 feet longer than 14 times the height of the head.This gives us the following equations:\[h + b = 122\] and \[b = 14h + 2\]
03

- Substitute the Second Equation into the First

Substitute \(b\) from the second equation into the first equation:\[h + (14h + 2) = 122\]Simplify this to:\[15h + 2 = 122\]
04

- Solve for h

Subtract 2 from both sides to isolate the terms with \(h\):\[15h = 120\]Divide by 15:\[h = 8\]
05

- Solve for b

Use the value of \(h\) to find \(b\):\[b = 14h + 2\]Substitute \(h\) with 8:\[b = 14(8) + 2 = 112 + 2 = 114\]
06

- Verify the Solution

Finally, verify the values by checking the total height:\[h + b = 8 + 114 = 122\]The calculations are correct, confirming the separate heights.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Linear equations
Linear equations are foundational in algebra. They are equations where the highest power of the variable is one. That means you'll often see them written in the form: ax + b = cTo solve them, you usually isolate the variable on one side of the equation. For instance, in our snowperson problem, we used the information given to form two linear equations:
By solving these linear equations step-by-step, we can find the height of Olympia’s head and body. Understanding how linear equations function is crucial for dealing with algebra word problems effectively.
Variable substitution
Variable substitution is a method to solve systems of equations. It involves replacing one variable with an expression from another equation. This is exactly what was done in the snowperson problem. Here's a quick refresher:
  • Step 1: Write both equations clearly:
    • h + b = 122
    • b = 14h + 2
  • Step 2: Substitute the expression for b () into the first equation:
    • h + (14h + 2) = 122
After substitution, you have a simpler equation with just one variable to solve. This makes it easier to find the values of both variables involved. This technique is essential for solving many algebraic equations.
Problem-solving strategies
Good problem-solving strategies are key to tackling algebra word problems. Here are some strategies we used for this problem:
  • Define variables: Identify and define what each variable represents. Here, we defined the height of the head as 'h' and the body as 'b'.
  • Write equations: Translate the word problem into algebraic equations. In our example, we had:
    • h + b = 122
    • b = 14h + 2
  • Substitute and solve: Use substitution to solve the system of equations.
  • Verify your solution: Always check your results to ensure accuracy. For its problem, we verified that the total height matched.
Using these strategies not only simplifies problem-solving but also helps in understanding the logical flow of algebraic operations.
Height calculation
Height calculation is a common requirement in problem-solving. It's essential to understand how to work with units and relationships between different parts of a structure. Here, we were dealing with the heights of Olympia's head and body.First, we defined our variables and used the given relationships between those heights. Then, we substituted and solved the equations. Remember the steps:
  • Identify all the given information
  • Set up equations based on that information
  • Substitute values and solve
  • Verify your results to ensure calculations are correct
Practicing different height-related problems can make these steps more intuitive and strengthen your algebra skills overall.

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