To calculate the rate of change in the diver's elevation, we can use the two points provided:
- \( (3, -60) \) which means after 3 minutes, the elevation is -60 feet.
- \( (5, -100) \) which means after 5 minutes, the elevation is -100 feet.
The formula to find the rate of change is:
\[ \text{Rate of change} = \frac{\text{Change in elevation}}{\text{Change in time}} = \frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \]
Substituting the coordinates into the formula:
- First point: \( (3, -60) \) ➔ \( x_1 = 3 \), \( y_1 = -60 \)
- Second point: \( (5, -100) \) ➔ \( x_2 = 5 \), \( y_2 = -100 \)
Now, calculate the change in elevation:
\[ y_2 - y_1 = -100 - (-60) = -100 + 60 = -40 \]
Next, calculate the change in time:
\[ x_2 - x_1 = 5 - 3 = 2 \]
Now we can find the rate of change:
\[ \text{Rate of change} = \frac{-40}{2} = -20 \text{ feet per minute} \]
Thus, the rate of change in the diver’s elevation is -20 feet per minute.