Question

A bird is flying at an average altitude of 10 meters above the ground. After 3 seconds, it settles on a branch that is 3 meters above the ground. Interpret the quotient to describe the rate of change in the bird's altitude. Give your answer to the nearest hundredth.

Answer 1

A whale is swimming at a current depth of 15 meters below the surface. It swims up toward the surface

Answer 2

To interpret the quotient, we need to calculate the rate of change in the bird's altitude. The bird goes from an altitude of 10 meters to an altitude of 3 meters in 3 seconds.

The rate of change in altitude is calculated by dividing the change in altitude by the change in time.

Change in altitude = Final altitude - Initial altitude = 3 meters - 10 meters = -7 meters (negative because the altitude decreases)

Change in time = 3 seconds

Rate of change in altitude = Change in altitude / Change in time = -7 meters / 3 seconds ≈ -2.33 meters/second

The quotient -2.33 can be interpreted as the bird's altitude decreasing by an average rate of 2.33 meters per second.