My Math Forum Exponent Word Problem

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 July 20th, 2015, 09:42 AM #1 Newbie   Joined: Jun 2015 From: Austin Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Exponent Word Problem Forum: I am trying to figure this out Heavier aircraft require runways with thicker pavement for landing and takeoff. A pavement 6 inches thick can accommodate an aircraft weighing 80,000 lbs., whereas a 12-inch-thick pavement is necessary for a craft weighing 350,000 lbs. The relation between pavement thickness t in inches and gross weight W in thousands of lbs. is modeled by W=Ca^t $\displaystyle W=Ca^t$ So.. (6, 80),(12,350) a. Find values for C and a. On my notes I have $\displaystyle 80=Ca^6$ => $\displaystyle C=8/a^6$ But I do not know where the 8 came from. Could anyone explain?
July 20th, 2015, 10:04 AM   #2
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 Originally Posted by TravisR Forum: I am trying to figure this out Heavier aircraft require runways with thicker pavement for landing and takeoff. A pavement 6 inches thick can accommodate an aircraft weighing 80,000 lbs., whereas a 12-inch-thick pavement is necessary for a craft weighing 350,000 lbs. The relation between pavement thickness t in inches and gross weight W in thousands of lbs. is modeled by W=Ca^t $\displaystyle W=Ca^t$ So.. (6, 80),(12,350) a. Find values for C and a. On my notes I have $\displaystyle 80=Ca^6$ => $\displaystyle C=8/a^6$ But I do not know where the 8 came from. Could anyone explain?
Your notes are wrong. If $\displaystyle 80= Ca^6$, then $\displaystyle C= 80/a^6$. "80" not "8". You are just dividing both sides by $\displaystyle a^6$.

 July 20th, 2015, 11:00 AM #3 Newbie   Joined: Jun 2015 From: Austin Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Well that makes sense then. So to begin solving this problem would I go like this: $\displaystyle f(350)/f(80) = a^6 ; f(350)/f(80) = 350/80 = 35/8$ Then $\displaystyle W = C(35/^x$ Last edited by TravisR; July 20th, 2015 at 11:03 AM.

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