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An Application of Rational Exponents and Rational Functions

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Part 1: Find the average weight in pounds of a type of bird of your choice. Use the rational exponent equation L = 2.43 * W^0.3326 to estimate the wingspan L in feet of the bird that weighs W pounds (Rockswold, 2006). Include in your post the type of bird and the average weight and show the calculations necessary to find the approximate wingspan. The formula is not accurate for flightless birds, and is only a model used to estimate the wingspan of others.

In case conversions are necessary, 16 oz is 1 pound; 1 kg = 2.2 pounds; 1000g = 1 kg. For the formula about wingspan to be accurate, you must use the bird's weight in pounds.

Summarize your findings using the correct units of measure.

Part 2: An application of a rational function is T = (AB)/(A+B), which gives the time, T, it takes for two workers to complete a particular task where A & B represent the time it would take for each individual worker to complete the identical task.

Estimate how long it takes you to complete a task of your choice (house cleaning, mowing, etc.) in a given week. Suppose that Joe is slower than you at the given task and takes twice as long as you do. If you work together, how long would it take you to complete the task?

Include the type of job, the time it takes you and Joe individually to complete the job, and the calculations needed to show how long it would take to complete the job if you worked together. Summarize your results in a brief sentence and include units with your answer.

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Solution Summary

This solution provides a complete, step by step response which illustrates the calculations required to solve both of the given rational function based questions. For part 1, the Common Raven is discussed.

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Part 1:

Bird = Raven (A large bird)

The Common Raven (Corvus corax), also known as the Northern Raven, is a large, all-black passerine bird in the crow family. Found across the northern hemisphere, it is the most widely distributed of all corvids. There are eight known subspecies with little variation in ...

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