Question

In the city of Carmen, there is a drawbridge that is opened twice per hour over the summer. The graph below shows the number of feet that the top of the bridge was above the water versus the amount of minutes that the

drawbridge was open

Answer 1

1) Between 0 and 1 minute the rate of change is 25 ft./min

2) Between 1 and 2 minute the rate of change is 0 ft./min

3) Between 2 and 4 minute the rate of change is -12.5 ft./min

Explanation:

1) Between 0, and 1 feet, we have;

The rate of change = (Final height - Initial height)/(Final time - Initial time)

The rate of change = (40 - 15)/(1 - 0) = 25 ft/min

Between 0 and 1 minute the rate of change = 25 ft./min

2) Between 1, and 2 feet, we have;

The rate of change = (40 - 40)/(2 - 1) = 0 ft/min

Between 1 and 2 minute the rate of change = 0 ft./min

3) Between 2, and 4 feet, we have;

The rate of change = (15 - 40)/(4 - 2) = -12.5 ft/min

Between 2 and 4 minute the rate of change = -12.5 ft./min