Question

A leaf hangs from a branch 12 feet in the air. It falls to the ground at a rate of 0.25 feet per second. Which graph could represent the leaf’s height in feet as a function of time, in seconds, after leaving the branch?

A coordinate plane showing Falling Leaf, Time in seconds on the x-axis and Height in feet on the y-axis. A line is passing through (4, 20 ), (6, 14), and (12, 0).

A coordinate plane showing Falling Leaf, Time in seconds on the x-axis and Height in feet on the y-axis. A line is passing through (0, 12), (8, 8), and (20, 2).

A coordinate plane showing Falling Leaf, Time in seconds on the x-axis and Height in feet on the y-axis. A line is passing through (0, 16), (6, 8), and (12, 0).

A coordinate plane showing Falling Leaf, Time in seconds on the x-axis and Height in feet on the y-axis. A line is passing through (0, 12), (8, 10), and (16, 8).

Answer 1

The fourth graph. It has h(0)=12 and slope (10−12)/(8−0)=−2/8=−0.25, so h(t)=12−0.25t which matches the leaf falling 0.25 ft/s.