16Hit1600
AlgebraMediumHeight at which a linear temperature model reaches a value

Algebra practice question

The temperature, in degrees Celsius, at a height of h kilometres above a town is modelled by T(h) = 20 − 6.5h. At what height, in kilometres, does the model give a temperature of −6°C?

Answer: 4

20 − 6.5h = −6 → 6.5h = 26 → h = 4.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 26
26 is 6.5h, before dividing by 6.5.
If you answered 2.15
2.15 comes from 6.5h = 14, using +6 instead of −6.
If you answered 3.08
3.08 comes from 20 ÷ 6.5, the height where T = 0.

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