In 1–2 sentences, describe what types of function can be used to describe each part of the following situation. You jumped from a high ledge into a pool of water, then swam to the other side of the pool and climbed up a ladder at a constant rate to get out of the pool. Compare your height around the surface of the pool water to the time.

1 answer

The height of your body above the surface of the water as you jumped in would be represented by a high, decreasing exponential or quadratic function, showing a rapid decline until you hit the water; while your swimming and ladder climbing can be modeled by linear functions, reflecting a constant height increase as you move horizontally and vertically. Overall, this creates a piecewise function combining these different segments of motion over time.