Directions: the traditional method for calculating a dogs age in dog years is to multiply its age
in human years by 7. the chart below describes a diffrent method some veterinarians use to estimate
a dog's age based on its size.
size------- small------- medium -------- large --------- giant
weight------- 20 pounds or less ------- 21-50 pounds----------- 51-90 pounds---- more than 90 pounds
Age at 2 in ------ 23 dog years--------- 24 dog years-------- 22 dog years --------- 20 dog years
human years
Age increase -------- 4 dog years ------------ 5 dog years ----------- 6 dog years -------------- 7 dog years
eah year after
2 in human years
#1 choose a dog breed in category. you can use the dog breed charts on the following page or do research
to choose a diffrent breed
#2 complete a table to show the dog year equivalent for each breed from 2-5 human years
#3 Let x equal the age, in human years, for a dog that is 2 years old or older. For each of your chosen
breeds, write an expression to model its age in dog years. { Hint: Uses (x -2) in each expression}
#4 choose what you consider to be a really old, but realistic age for people.
#5 for each expression you write, plug in the value you choose in step 4-an old age for a human-for x.
Set each expression equal to (A).
#6 solve each equation, and explain what the solution means. Add the old-age values to your table.
#7 use your solutions to develop a convinicing argument for awhy the method described in the chart is
better than the traditional method.
#8 you may wish to do research to find the average lifespan for each dog breed and use those facts in your
argument
Example dogs:
small dogs medium dogs large dogs giant dogs
border terrier american pit bull boxer Irish wolfhound
chihuahua border collie collie Great dane
pug corgi bulldog Bloodhound
miniture poodel wheaten terrier golden retriever Rottweiler