A pilot is flying an airplane. Due to strong winds, the pilot decides to fly 4,000 feet lower to avoid excessive turbulence. It takes the pilot 3.5 minutes to make this adjustment. Interpret the quotient to describe the rate of change in the plane's altitude. Give your answer to the nearest hundredth, and remember the plane is descending.

Question

The quotient that best represents the rate of change in the plane's altitude is __ feet/minute.

Answer 1

The rate of change in the plane's altitude can be calculated as the change in altitude divided by the time taken.

Change in altitude = 4000 feet
Time taken = 3.5 minutes

Rate of change in altitude = 4000 feet / 3.5 minutes
Rate of change in altitude ≈ 1142.86 feet/minute

So, the quotient that best represents the rate of change in the plane's altitude is approximately 1142.86 feet/minute.