A coordinate plane's x-axis ranges from 0 to 30 by 10-unit increments and its y-axis ranges from 0 to 600 by 200-unit increments. A diagonal line is plotted.

Question

The graph models the descent of a hot air balloon in feet per minute. What does the y-intercept tell you in this situation?

(1 point)
Responses

The balloon takes 0 minutes to descend 600 feet.
The balloon takes 0 minutes to descend 600 feet.

It will take the balloon 600 minutes to descend.
It will take the balloon 600 minutes to descend.

The balloon starts its descent at 600 feet.
The balloon starts its descent at 600 feet.

The balloon rises 600 feet.

Answer 1

The y-intercept of a graph represents the value of the dependent variable (in this case, the height of the hot air balloon) when the independent variable (time in minutes) is equal to zero.

In this situation, the y-intercept indicates the initial height of the hot air balloon before it begins to descend. Therefore, the correct interpretation of the y-intercept is:

The balloon starts its descent at 600 feet.