Linear equations word problem?

Question

Equation/word problem:The height and weight of a college male are lineraly related. If a college male who is 5'11 weighs 180 pounds and a male who is 6'2 weighs 195 pounds,then how much should a male weigh if he is 6'4? How would I solve this? I'm sorry for asking so many questions,I'm just bad a linear equations and my teacher didn't explain it to me where I could understand.

Answer 1

First, convert all the heights to inches, so there is only one number to deal with, then put into ratio form:

180lbs/71in = 2.54 lbs/in

195 lbs/74in = 2.64 lbs/in

If these are linearly related, the ratios should be the same. Using the average (mean) of these ratios:

(2.54 + 2.64)/2 = 2.59 lbs/in

6ft 4in = 76in

76in(2.59 lbs/in) = 197 lbs (rounded to nearest pound)

or using the two ratios:

193 to 201 lbs range

Best fit answer is 197 lbs for 6ft 4in.



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Answer 2

It is a proportion.



5'11" to 6'2" = 3 inches



180 lbs to 195 lbs = 15 lbs



15/3 = 5 lb/inch



Therefore, 6'2" to 6'4" = 2" x 5 lbs = 10 lbs.

Answer 3

You might want to change height to decimal, then use (h,w) as ordered pairs, find the slope and write the equation.