Ethan planted a tree that is 37.5 inches tall. If the tree grows 3 inches each year, how long will it take for the tree to reach a height of 54 inches?

The tree takes ##5.5## years to reach 54 inches height.

The current height of the tree ##color(blue)(=37.5## inches.

The target height is ##color(blue)(=54## inches

The tree needs to grow by ##54-37.5= color(green)(16.5## inches

We know the rate of growth to be: ##3## inches in ##color(blue)(1## year

So for, ##16.5## inches ##=color(blue)(x## years

##x=(1 xx 16.5)/3##

##color(blue)(x=5.5## years.