Topic: Inequalities
Read the article about Body Mass Index ( I have included the reading below) (BMI) on page 151 of Elementary and Intermediate Algebra. Use the formula given using pounds and inches for finding the BMI at the end of the first paragraph in order to find the four intervals the article mentions:
17 < BMI < 22 might have a longer life span than average
23 < BMI < 25 probably not overweight
25 < BMI < 29.9 probably overweight
BMI > 30 obese
You will use your height to plug into the formula to solve for W, the weight range that will go with each category. You may prefer to solve the formula for the variable W before plugging in values, which is fine.
Write a two to three page paper that is formatted in APA style and according to the Math Writing Guide. Format your math work as shown in the Instructor Guidance and be concise in your reasoning. In the body of your essay, please make sure to include:
Your solution to the above problem, making sure to include all mathematical work
A discussion on the computed weight ranges and some reasons why they could be misleading
An evaluation of the regions outside of the “probably not overweight” range using both set notation and interval notation. Include a simple graph of the regions. (See Instructor Guidance example for some ideas of how to do this.)
The incorporation of the following five math vocabulary words into your discussion. Use bold font to emphasize the words in your writing (Do not write definitions for the words; but integrate them into your discussion.):
Inequality
Equivalent
Compound inequality
Interval
Infinity
my height is 5’6″
Below is the reading from the article about Body Mass Index (BMI) on page 151 of Elementary and Intermediate Algebra.
Medical professionals say that two-thirds of all Americans are overweight and excess weight has about the same effect on life expectancy as smoking. How can you tell if you are overweight or normal? Body mass index (BMI) can help you decide. To determine BMI divide your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters. Don’t know your weight and height in the metric system? Then use the formula BMI = 703W/H2, where W is your weight in pounds and H is your height in inches.
If 23 < BMI < 25, then you are probably not overweight. If BMI ? 26, then you are probably overweight and are statistically likely to have a lower life expectancy. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, you are overweight if 25 < BMI < 29.9 and obese if BMI ? 30. If your BMI is between 17 and 22, your life span might be longer than average. Men are usually happy with a BMI between 23 and 25 and women like to see their BMI between 20 and 22. However, BMI does not distinguish between muscle and fat and can wrongly suggest that a person with a short muscular build is overweight. Also, the BMI does not work well for children, because normal varies with age.
If you want to learn more about body mass index or don't want to do the calculations yourself, then check out any of the numerous websites that discuss BMI and even have online BMI calculators. Just do a search for body mass index.