Question

you have taken up beekeeping and are caring for two colonies. one is large (80,000 bees) but is declining in size by 200 bees per year. the other is small (60,000 bees) but growing by 350 bees per year. you can do this to determine when the colonies will be the same size. subtract the populations make a graph write an equation count the bees

Explanation:

Step1: Set up linear - equations

Let $t$ be the number of years. The population of the large colony $P_1$ is $P_1 = 80000-200t$. The population of the small colony $P_2$ is $P_2=60000 + 350t$.

Step2: Set the two equations equal

To find when the two colonies have the same size, we set $P_1 = P_2$, so $80000-200t=60000 + 350t$.

Step3: Solve for $t$

First, add $200t$ to both sides: $80000=60000 + 350t+200t$. Then simplify to get $80000=60000 + 550t$. Next, subtract $60000$ from both sides: $80000 - 60000=550t$, which gives $20000 = 550t$. Finally, solve for $t$: $t=\frac{20000}{550}=\frac{400}{11}\approx36.36$ years.

Writing an equation is the most appropriate way to solve this problem.

Answer:

Write an equation