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 quotientbto describe the rate of change in the bird's altitude.

Answer 1

The quotient that describes the rate of change in the bird's altitude is the change in altitude divided by the change in time. In this case, the change in altitude is 3 meters (from 10 meters to 3 meters) and the change in time is 3 seconds. So, the quotient is 3 meters / 3 seconds = 1 meter per second. This means that the bird's altitude is decreasing at a rate of 1 meter per second.