Question

Difficulty: HardLinear Functions and Graphs

In the xyxy-plane, the graph of the linear function ff has a slope of mm and a yy-intercept of (0,b)(0, b). The graph of the linear function gg has a slope of 3m-3m and a yy-intercept of (0,b+15)(0, b + 15). If the graphs of ff and gg intersect at the point (3,5)(3, 5), what is the value of f(5)f(5)?

Answer: 7.5

Answer

7.5 (or 15/2)
By writing the equations of the two lines as f(x)=mx+bf(x) = mx + b and g(x)=3mx+b+15g(x) = -3mx + b + 15, and substituting the intersection point (3,5)(3, 5), we get the system of equations 3m+b=53m + b = 5 and 9m+b=10-9m + b = -10. Subtracting these equations gives 12m=1512m = 15, which simplifies to m=1.25m = 1.25. Substituting mm back into 3m+b=53m + b = 5 yields b=1.25b = 1.25. The function is therefore f(x)=1.25x+1.25f(x) = 1.25x + 1.25. Evaluating this at x=5x = 5 gives f(5)=1.25(5)+1.25=7.5f(5) = 1.25(5) + 1.25 = 7.5.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Formulate equations for both linear functions using slope-intercept form.
f(x)=mx+bf(x) = mx + b and g(x)=3mx+b+15g(x) = -3mx + b + 15
The equation of a line with slope MM and yy-intercept (0,B)(0, B) is given by y=Mx+By = Mx + B.
2
Substitute the coordinates of the intersection point (3,5)(3, 5) into both equations.
3m+b=53m + b = 5 and 9m+b=10-9m + b = -10
Since the intersection point lies on both lines, its coordinates must satisfy both equations.
3
Solve the system of equations for mm and bb.
m=1.25m = 1.25 and b=1.25b = 1.25
Subtracting the equations eliminates bb, giving 12m=15    m=1.2512m = 15 \implies m = 1.25. Substituting this back into the first equation gives 3(1.25)+b=5    b=1.253(1.25) + b = 5 \implies b = 1.25.
4
Evaluate f(5)f(5) using the found values.
f(5)=1.25(5)+1.25=7.5f(5) = 1.25(5) + 1.25 = 7.5
Substitute x=5x = 5 into the equation f(x)=1.25x+1.25f(x) = 1.25x + 1.25.

Key Concept

Solving systems of linear equations and evaluating linear functions from graph intersections.
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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