Question

Height Above Canyon Floor Over Time
Time (minutes) Height Above Canyon Floor
0 360
3 300
10 160
14 80
Which statement best interprets the rate of change of the linear model shown in the table?
A. The elevation of a hiker who is hiking up from canyon floor changes at a rate of −20 feet per minute.
B. The elevation of a hiker who is hiking up from a canyon floor changes at a rate of 20 feet per minute.
C. The elevation of a hiker who is hiking down to a canyon floor changes at a rate of 20 feet per minute.
D. The elevation of a hiker who is hiking down to a canyon floor changes at a rate of −20 feet per minute.

Answer 1

D. The height decreases by 20 feet each minute (slope = (300−360)/3 = −60/3 = −20 ft/min), so the hiker is going down at −20 ft/min.