24. For much of the past century, most American medical doctors were men. However, in recent years there has been an increase in the number of women
graduating from medical school. As a result, the percent of doctors who are
women has grown steadily. This graph shows the trend, in years since 1960.
The percent of male and female medical doctors can be modeled by the following
linear functions.
Percent of Medical Decor
I
Percentage of Male Doctors: y = -0.50 -98
Percentage of Female Doctors: y = 0.50 +2
Here y, and ya represent the percentage of male and
female doctors at a time t years after 1960.
a. Examine the two linear functions. Why are the slopes
for male and female the same number, except that
one is positive and the other negative?
b. In how many years past 1960 will the percent of male and female doctors be equal?
Estimate the time t using the graph, then calculate using the two functions.
-0.50 +98 = 0.50 +2
c. Solve this inequality. Estimate the time t using the graph, then calculate using the
two functions
-0.50t + 98 > 40.50+ • 2)
d. Explain what the solution for part (c) says about the percentages of male and
female doctors in the United States.