To analyze which graph best represents Marc's drive to work, let's break down his journey into different phases based on the description:
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Pulling out of the driveway: Marc starts from rest and slowly increases his speed as he pulls out. This indicates a slow acceleration over a short period.
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Coming to a complete stop at the stop sign: Marc maintains the same, low speed until he stops at the stop sign. This phase will appear as a horizontal line on the graph, indicating constant low speed, followed by a drop to 0 mph as he comes to a stop.
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Waiting at the stop sign: During the wait, the speed is 0 mph, appearing as a flat line at the bottom of the graph.
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Accelerating to the speed limit: After the stop sign, Marc steadily increases his speed until he reaches the speed limit. This phase will show a steady, upward slope on the graph as the speed increases.
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Driving at constant speed: Once he reaches the speed limit, his speed remains constant for a while, indicated by another horizontal line.
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Slowing down to stop in front of the office: As he approaches his office, he slows down steadily and comes to a complete stop. This will appear as a downward slope on the graph leading to 0 mph at the end.
Based on these points, we should look for a graph that has these characteristics:
- A starting point of low speed gradually increasing to a higher speed.
- Flat sections representing constant low speed and then constant high speed.
- Downslopes leading back down to 0 before the end.
Among the provided graphs, the one that captures this sequence effectively is:
Graph 1:
- Starts from a low speed and increases (0 to 1, then to 7).
- Flat segment reflecting constant speed at 7 mph until around time 11.
- Decrease to 0 after time 16.
Thus, Graph 1 accurately represents Marc's drive to work.