1. EXAMPLE 1 Solving an Equation Involving Decimals A colony of coral is 0.17 meter high and is growing at a rate of 0.025 meter per year. Another colony is 0.11 meter high and is growing at a rate of 0.041 meter per year. In how many years will the colonies be the same height? Environment

2. EXAMPLE 1 Solving an Equation Involving Decimals SOLUTION First write a verbal model. Let n represent the number of years. =

3. EXAMPLE 1 Solving an Equation Involving Decimals 0.17 + 0.025n = 0.11 + 0.041n Write algebraic model. 0.17 = 0.11 + 0.016n Subtract 0.025n from each side. 0.06 = 0.016n Subtract 0.11 from each side. Divide each side by 0.016 3.75 = n Simplify. 0.06 0.016 0.016x 0.016 = ANSWER The colonies will be the same height in 3.75 years.

4. GUIDED PRACTICE for Example 1 You and a friend are buying snowboarding gear. You buy a pair of goggles that costs $39.95 and 4 tubes of wax. Your friend buys a helmet that costs $54.95 and 2 tubes of wax. You each spend the same amount. Write and solve an equation to find the price of one tube of wax. Snowboarding 1.

5. GUIDED PRACTICE for Example 1 SOLUTION Let x represent the price of one tube of wax. 1. 39.95 + 4x = 54.95 + 2x Write algebraic model. 39.95 + 2x = 54.95 Subtract 2x from each side. 2x = 15.00 Subtract 39.95 from each side. Divide each side by 2 x = 7.50 Simplify. 2x2x 2 15.00 2 = ANSWER The price of one tube of wax is $7.50.