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Please help me!!!!?

(not a linear equation) Math problem: An automotive engineer studied the effect of car weight in tons on fuel efficiency, which is measured in miles per gallon (mpg). The data from two cars in the study showed that a 2 ton car had a fuel efficiency of 35 mpg and a 2.5 ton car had a fuel efficiency of 31 mpg. Find a linear model that gives the fuel efficiency E (in mpg) of a car as a function of its weight w (in tons).

E =

Use the model to find the fuel efficiency (in mpg) of a car that weighs 3 tons.

 mpg

2 Answers

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  • Ian H
    Lv 7
    4 months ago
    Favorite Answer

    Find a linear model  ..............

    E = mW + c

    35 = 2m + c

    31 = 2.5m + c

    4 = -0.5m

     m = -8

    35 = -16 + c

    c = 51

    E = -8W + 51 and if W = 3 tons

    E = -8*3 + 51 = 27 mpg

    but y = 40/x + 15 by billrussell is good if non linear wanted

  • 4 months ago

    umm, first you say "not a linear equation" then you ask for a linear model....

    data points: 2 ton and 35 mpg

                       2.5 ton and 31 mpg

    I'd use y (mpg) = a/x + b

         where x is tons

    plug in the points and get a and b

    35 = a/2 + b

    31 = a/2.5 + b

    70 = a + 2b

    77.5 = a + 2.5b

    a = 70 – 2b = 77.5 – 2.5b

    2.5b – 2b = 77.5 – 70

    0.5b = 7.5

    b = 15

    a = 70 – 30 = 40

    so eq is

    y = 40/x + 15

    check

    x = 2, y = 20+15 = 35

    x = 2.5, y = 16+15 = 31

    x = 3, y = 40/3 + 15 = 28.3 mpg

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