Question

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 of change in the bird’s altitude. Give your answer to the nearest hundredth and remember that the bird is descending.(1 point)
The quotient that best represents the rate of change in the bird’s altitude is
meters/second.

Answer 1

To calculate the rate of change in the bird's altitude, we first need to determine the change in altitude and the time taken for that change.

1. **Initial altitude of the bird**: 10 meters
2. **Final altitude of the bird after 3 seconds**: 3 meters
3. **Change in altitude**:
\[
\text{Change in altitude} = \text{Final altitude} - \text{Initial altitude} = 3 \text{ m} - 10 \text{ m} = -7 \text{ m}
\]

4. **Time taken**: 3 seconds

Now, we can calculate the rate of change in altitude:

\[
\text{Rate of change} = \frac{\text{Change in altitude}}{\text{Time}} = \frac{-7 \text{ m}}{3 \text{ s}} \approx -2.33 \text{ m/s}
\]

Therefore, the quotient that best represents the rate of change in the bird’s altitude is approximately

\(-2.33\) meters/second.