A tree is 2 feet tall and growing at a rate of 1 foot per year. A 6-foot tall tree is growing at a rate of 0.5 foot per year. In how many years will the trees be the same height?
So you need to find the value of x that would make these equal. 2+x = 6+0.5x Subtract 0.5x from both sides. 2+0.5x = 6 Now subtract 2 from both sides. 0.5x = 4 Finally, divide both sides by 0.5 x = 8 So in 8 years, the two trees will be the same height.