Question 32·Medium·Linear Inequalities in One or Two Variables
A courier must drive along a highway where the posted speed limit requires driving at least and no more than . Let represent the time, in hours, it takes the courier to complete the trip while staying within the speed limit.
Which of the following describes all possible values of ?
For distance–rate–time inequality problems, start by writing and solve for as . Plug in the extreme allowed speeds (the lowest and highest) to get the maximum and minimum possible times. Remember that for a fixed distance, a higher speed means a shorter time. Finally, express the answer as an inequality with the smaller time on the left and the larger time on the right, and be careful not to confuse the units (mph for speed vs. hours for time).
Hints
Connect the quantities
What formula connects distance, speed (rate), and time? How can you solve that formula for time ?
Use the extreme speeds
The courier can drive anywhere between 50 mph and 65 mph. Which speed will give the shortest time? Which speed will give the longest time?
Compute times at each extreme
Plug mph and mph into with . Then think: should be between those two results, and which one should be the smaller (left) endpoint of the inequality?
Desmos Guide
Calculate the time at the highest speed
In one expression line, type 300/65 and note the decimal value that Desmos gives; this is the time it takes to go 300 miles at 65 mph (the shortest possible time).
Calculate the time at the lowest speed
In a second expression line, type 300/50 and note the decimal value; this is the time it takes to go 300 miles at 50 mph (the longest possible time).
Describe the range for t
Compare the two times you found: one is smaller, one is larger. All possible values of are the numbers between these two times, including both endpoints. On your paper, write an inequality for with the smaller time on the left and the larger time on the right.
Step-by-step Explanation
Relate distance, rate, and time
The basic relationship is
For this problem, the distance is fixed at miles, the rate (speed) is between and mph, and is the time in hours.
Solve the formula for time
Starting from , solve for :
Here , so
This means the time depends on which allowed speed (between 50 and 65 mph) the courier chooses.
Compute times at each extreme speed
To get the shortest time, use the highest speed, mph:
To get the longest time, use the lowest speed, mph:
Write the inequality for all possible values of t
Because is less than , the time must satisfy
So the correct description of all possible values of is .