Dog Debate

UNIT NAME: EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES

Directions: The traditional method for calculating a dog's age in dog years is to

multiply its age in human years by 7. The chart below describes a different method

some veterinarians use to estimate a dog's age based on its size.

Size Small Medium Large Giant

Weight 20 pounds

or less

21‒50

pounds

51‒90

pounds

more than 90

pounds

Age at 2 in

Human Years

23 dog years 24 dog years 22 dog years 20 dog years

Age Increase

Each Year

After 2 in

Human Years

4 dog years 5 dog years 6 dog years 7 dog years

1. Choose a dog breed in each size category. You can use the dog breed charts

on the following page or do research to choose a different breed.

2. Complete a table to show the dog year equivalent for each breed from 2–5

human years.

3. Let x equal the age, in human years, for a dog that is 2 years old or older.

For each of your chosen breeds, write an expression to model its age in dog

years. [Hint: Use (x 2) in each expression.]

4. Choose what you consider to be a really old, but realistic, age for people.

5. For each expression you write, plug in the value you chose in step 4—an old age for a

human—for x. Set each expression equal to A.

6. Solve each equation, and explain what the solution means. Add the old-age

values to your table.

7. Use your solutions to develop a convincing argument for why the method

described in the chart is better than the traditional method.

8. You may wish to do research to find the average lifespan for each dog breed

and use those facts in your argument.

My answer:
Chihuahua (A)
(60 -2)/4 =A
English springer spaniel (B)
(60 -2)/5 =A
German shepherd (C)
(60 -2)/6 =A
Saint Bernard (D)
(60 -2)/ 7 =A

{A} (60 -2)/4 = 14.5
{B} (60 -2)/5 = 11.5
{C} (60 -2)/6 = 9.6…..
{D} (60 -2)/ 7 = 8.2….

I just don't know what the solution means, so if someone could help me with that, that would be awesome!!