AlgebraVery hardInterpreting parallel lines in context
Algebra practice question
Two savings accounts are compared. Account A starts with $200 and gains $15 a month. Account B starts with $260 and gains $15 a month. Which statement about when the accounts hold the same amount is true?
- A. They never hold the same amount, because both grow at the same rate from different starting balances.Correct
- B. They hold the same amount after 4 months.
- C. They hold the same amount after 60 months.
- D. They hold the same amount every month.
Answer: A. They never hold the same amount, because both grow at the same rate from different starting balances.
200 + 15m = 260 + 15m has no solution: the lines are parallel.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. They hold the same amount after 4 months.
- At 4 months A has 260 and B has 320.
- C. They hold the same amount after 60 months.
- The $60 gap never closes.
- D. They hold the same amount every month.
- They differ by $60 in every month.
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