A mountain goat is climbing to the top of a large cliff. The cliff is 50 feet higher than its starting point. If it takes the goat 22 minutes to climb this cliff, interpret the quotient to describe the rate of change in the goat’s elevation. Give your answer to the nearest hundredth.

Answer 1

The quotient is obtained by dividing the change in elevation, 50 feet, by the time it takes to climb the cliff, 22 minutes.

Rate of change in elevation = $\dfrac{50 \text{ feet}}{22 \text{ minutes}} = \dfrac{25}{11} \approx \boxed{2.27 \text{ feet per minute}}$.

Answer 2

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.