To analyze the height of stacks of small and large cups based on the number of cups (n), we can look at each equation and compare them.
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Small Cups: The height \( h \) of a stack of small cups is given by the equation: \[ h = 1.5n + 6 \] Here, \( n \) represents the number of small cups. The term \( 1.5n \) indicates that each small cup adds 1.5 cm to the height of the stack, and the constant 6 cm is the initial height or offset when no cups are present (i.e., when \( n = 0 \)).
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Large Cups: The height \( h \) of a stack of large cups is given by the equation: \[ h = 0.5n + 9 \] Similar to the small cups, \( n \) indicates the number of large cups. In this case, each large cup adds 0.5 cm to the height of the stack, and the constant 9 cm is the initial height or offset when no cups are present.
Comparison of the Two Equations
To determine how the heights of the stacks relate as \( n \) increases, we can set the two equations equal to each other to find out when the heights of the stacks are the same:
\[ 1.5n + 6 = 0.5n + 9 \]
Solve for \( n \):
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Subtract \( 0.5n \) from both sides: \[ 1.5n - 0.5n + 6 = 9 \] This simplifies to: \[ n + 6 = 9 \]
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Subtract 6 from both sides: \[ n = 3 \]
Height at \( n = 3 \):
We can now find the height for both types of cups when \( n = 3 \):
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Small Cups: \[ h = 1.5(3) + 6 = 4.5 + 6 = 10.5 \text{ cm} \]
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Large Cups: \[ h = 0.5(3) + 9 = 1.5 + 9 = 10.5 \text{ cm} \]
Conclusion:
The two stacks of cups will have the same height of 10.5 cm when there are 3 cups of each type.
For values of \( n < 3 \), the stack of small cups is shorter than the stack of large cups, and for values of \( n > 3 \), the stack of small cups is taller than the stack of large cups.