The linear function graphed below represents the height of a stalk of corn since a farmer began using a new fertilizer. What is the initial value? A graph titled Height of a Stalk of Corn has Number of Days Using New Fertilizer on the x-axis and Height (feet) on the y-axis. Points are at (3, 10), (4, 12), (5, 14), and (6, 16).
0 feet
1 foot
4 feet
6 feet

geometry: triangles

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call the larger triangle abc

then the smaller triangle cde is similar to abc (all angles are equal, aaa).  

ab is the side that is 36, and we wish to find de, the side corresponding to ab

area_cde = area_abc - area_cde --> area_abc / area_cde = 2

let x=length of de

ratio of areas = (ratio of sides)^2

+2+=+%2836%2fx%29%5e2+

+2+=+1296%2fx%5e2+

++x%5e2+=+1296%2f2+=+648+

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