The initial speed, in miles per hour, of a certain car that skids to a stop can be estimated by multiplying the length of the skid, in feet, by 35 and then taking the square root of the product. According to this method, what is the estimated initial speed, in miles per hour, of the car when it makes a 108-foot skid?
Correct answer: C
Explanation
A. Incorrect. Let s represent the initial speed of the car, in miles per hour, and l represent the length of the skid in feet. The equation that models the situation is then . Remember to multiply, not add, the values underneath the square root.
B. Incorrect. Let s represent the initial speed of the car, in miles per hour, and l represent the length of the skid in feet. The equation that models the situation is then . Remember that, when simplifying a radical such as , the constants outside of the radical will multiply, not add: , not .
C. Correct. Let s represent the initial speed of the car, in miles per hour, and l represent the length of the skid in feet. The equation that models the situation is then . Substitute into the equation: . Simplify the radical by factoring and using the property to yield .
D. Incorrect. Let s represent the initial speed of the car, in miles per hour, and l represent the length of the skid in feet. The equation that models the situation is then . You may have used the equation .
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