A mining company has two mines. One day’s operation at mine 1 produces ore that contains 20 metric tons of copper and 550 kilograms of silver, while one day’s operation at mine 2 produces ore that contains 30 metric tons of copper and 500 kilograms of silver. Let

Then v₁ and v₂ represent the "output per day" of mine 1 and mine 2, respectively.

a. What physical interpretation can be given to the vector 5v₁?

b. Suppose the company operates mine 1 for x₁ days and mine 2 for x₂ days. Write a vector equation whose solution gives the number of days each mine should operate in order to produce 150 tons of copper and 2825 kilograms of silver. Do not solve the equation.

c. Solve the equation in (b).

Transcribed Image Text:

V1 20 550 and V2 30 500 [₁