The equation to model the situation is [tex]=71-t \times \frac{1}{2}[/tex]
Solution:
Given, Grandpa Joe started getting shorter in 2002 (let x=0)
Height shrunken = [tex]\frac{1}{2}[/tex]
Present Height in 2008 = 68 inches
Now, let the number of years lived after 2002 be “t”
Then, present height = height in 2002 – number of years lived x height shrunken
[tex]\text { Present height }=\text { height in } 2002-t \times \frac{1}{2}[/tex]
Since from 2002 to 2008 , it is 6 years span, so t = 6
[tex]\text { Present height in } 2008=\text { height in } 2002-6 \times \frac{1}{2}[/tex]
68 inches = height in 2002 – 3 inches
Height in 2002 = 68 + 3 = 71 inches
So, grandpa is 71 inches tall in 2002
Then, our equation will be modified as present height [tex]=71-t \times \frac{1}{2}[/tex]
