A bird is flying at an average altitude of 10 meters above the ground. After 3 seconds, it settles on a branch that is 3 meters above the ground interpret the quotient to describe the rate or change in the bird's altitude.

Answer 1

The bird's altitude changes from 10 meters to 3 meters, so the total change in altitude is 10 - 3 = 7 meters.

This altitude change took place over 3 seconds, so to find the rate of change, we divide the total change by the time it takes place, 7 ÷ 3 = 2.33 meters per second.

So the bird's average rate of change in altitude is -2.33 meters per second. The negative sign indicates that the bird is decreasing in altitude, or moving downwards.