Math Problem Statement

Biologists have noticed that the chirping of crickets of a certain species is related to temperature, and the relationship appears to be very nearly linear. A cricket produces 116 chirps per minute at 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 175 chirps per minute at 87 degrees Fahrenheit.

Find a linear equation that models the temperature 𝑇 as a function of the number of chirps per minute 𝑁.

Solution

To find the linear equation that models temperature TT as a function of the number of chirps per minute NN, we can use the formula for the equation of a line:

T=mN+bT = mN + b

Where:

  • TT is the temperature,
  • NN is the number of chirps per minute,
  • mm is the slope of the line,
  • bb is the y-intercept (the temperature when N=0N = 0).

Step 1: Find the slope mm

The slope of a line is given by the formula:

m=Ξ”TΞ”N=T2βˆ’T1N2βˆ’N1m = \frac{\Delta T}{\Delta N} = \frac{T_2 - T_1}{N_2 - N_1}

From the given dataTo find the linear equation that models temperature TT as a function of the number of chirps per minute NN, we can use the formula for the equation of a line:

T=mN+bT = mN + b

Where:

  • TT is the temperature,
  • NN is the number of chirps per minute,
  • mm is the slope of the line,
  • bb is the y-intercept (the temperature when N=0N = 0).

Step 1: Find the slope mm

The slope of a line is given by the formula:

m=Ξ”TΞ”N=T2βˆ’T1N2βˆ’N1m = \frac{\Delta T}{\Delta N} = \frac{T_2 - T_1}{N_2 - N_1}

From the given

  • At N1=116N_1 = 116 chirps per minute, T1=75∘FT_1 = 75^\circ F,
  • At N2=175N_2 = 175 chirps per minute, T2=87∘FT_2 = 87^\circ F.

Now calculate the slope:

m=87βˆ’75175βˆ’116=1259β‰ˆ0.203m = \frac{87 - 75}{175 - 116} = \frac{12}{59} \approx 0.203

Step 2: Find the y-intercept bb

Using the equation T=mN+bT = mN + b, substitute one of the given points (say N1=116N_1 = 116, T1=75T_1 = 75) and the slope m=0.203m = 0.203 to solve for bb:

75=0.203(116)+b75 = 0.203(116) + b 75=23.548+b75 = 23.548 + b b=75βˆ’23.548=51.452b = 75 - 23.548 = 51.452

Step 3: Write the final equation

Now that we have the slope mβ‰ˆ0.203m \approx 0.203 and the y-intercept bβ‰ˆ51.452b \approx 51.452, the linear equation is:

T=0.203N+51.452T = 0.203N + 51.452

This is the linear model for the temperature TT as a function of the number of chirps per minute NN.


Would you like further clarification or a deeper explanation? Here are 5 related questions:

  1. How would you calculate the temperature if the cricket chirps 150 times per minute?
  2. What does the slope of the equation tell us in practical terms?
  3. Can this model be applied universally to all cricket species?
  4. How would this model change if the temperature were in Celsius?
  5. How accurate is this linear approximation for extreme temperatures?

Tip: In many real-world problems, interpreting the slope and intercept can give you insight into the nature of the relationship being modeled!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Linear Equations
Slope-Intercept Form

Formulas

Slope formula m = (T2 - T1) / (N2 - N1)
Linear equation T = mN + b

Theorems

Linear equation properties
Slope-Intercept form of a line

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10