Question

Lena makes home deliveries of groceries for a supermarket. Her only stops after she leaves the supermarket are at traffic lights and the homes where she makes the deliveries. The graph shows her distance from the store on her first trip for the day. What is the greatest possible number of stops she made at traffic lights?

Answer 1

To determine the greatest possible number of stops Lena made at traffic lights, we need to analyze the graph that represents her distance from the store over time.

Here's a general step-by-step approach you could follow:

1. Understand the Graph: Typically, the graph's x-axis represents time, while the y-axis represents distance from the store. When Lena is moving away from the store, the distance increases. If she is stationary (either at a stop sign or delivering), the graph will show a horizontal line.

2. Identify Key Points: Look for the points on the graph where the distance remains constant. These points indicate where Lena makes a stop, either at a delivery point or a traffic light.

3. Count the Stops:

   • Whenever the graph flattens (indicating no movement), identify whether this represents a stop at a delivery location or a traffic light.
   • If the graph shows a series of stops (flat sections), assess whether it could be possible for her to have stopped at a traffic light before each delivery stop.

4. Considerations:

   • Stops at traffic lights could occur before she reaches a delivery or afterwards.
   • If she stops at a traffic light, the distance should remain the same for that duration.

5. Calculate Maximum Stops: The greatest number of stops at traffic lights will be if each horizontal line segment in the graph does not correspond to a delivery.

To finalize your answer, apply these steps using the specific graph you mentioned. Count the segments that represent stops (flat parts of the graph) and see how many could logically correspond to traffic lights without overlapping with delivery stops. The resulting number will be your answer.