A coordinate plane shows quadrant 4 with the x-axis, labeled as minutes, ranging from 0 to 6 in increments of 1 and y-axis, labeled as elevation in feet, ranging from 0 to negative 110 in decrements of 10. A ray with arrow at the bottom end points downward from the origin. The coordinates that it passes through are left parenthesis 0 comma 0 right parenthesis, left parenthesis 3 comma negative 60 right parenthesis, and left parenthesis 5 comma negative 100 right parenthesis.

Question

The graph shows the elevation of a deep-sea diver in relation to minutes passed. Using any two points on the graph, what is the rate of change in the diver’s elevation?

(1 point)
feet per minute

Answer 1

To find the rate of change in the diver's elevation, we can use any two points from the graph. Let's choose the points (0, 0) and (5, -100).

1. Identify the change in elevation (y-coordinate):

   • From (0, 0) to (5, -100), the change in elevation (Δy) is: \[ -100 - 0 = -100 \text{ feet} \]

2. Identify the change in time (x-coordinate):

   • The change in time (Δx) is: \[ 5 - 0 = 5 \text{ minutes} \]

3. Calculate the rate of change:

   • The rate of change in elevation is given by the formula: \[ \text{Rate of change} = \frac{\Delta y}{\Delta x} = \frac{-100 \text{ feet}}{5 \text{ minutes}} = -20 \text{ feet per minute} \]

Thus, the rate of change in the diver's elevation is \(-20\) feet per minute.