To visualize the scenario described, we can break it down into its key phases and represent each one graphically.
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Filling Phase (5 minutes): For the first 5 minutes, the water is filling the tub at a constant rate. This will be represented as a straight line with a positive slope on the graph, indicating that the volume of water is increasing.
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Pause Phase (15 minutes): After filling for 5 minutes, Barbara turns off the water for 15 minutes. The line on the graph will become horizontal during this time, indicating that the volume of water remains constant because no water is being added or removed.
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Draining Phase (20 minutes): Finally, when Barbara unplugs the tub, the water drains at a constant rate for 20 minutes. This will be represented by a straight line with a negative slope, indicating that the volume of water is decreasing.
Putting this all together, the graph would show:
- An increasing line for the first 5 minutes.
- A horizontal line from 5 to 20 minutes (indicating no change in volume).
- A decreasing line from 20 to 40 minutes (indicating the tub is draining).
In summary, the graph consists of:
- A rising segment for the first 5 minutes.
- A flat segment from the 5-minute mark to the 20-minute mark.
- A falling segment from 20 minutes until the 40-minute mark when the tub becomes empty.
When looking for the graph that matches this description, you should identify a graph with:
- An upward slope for the first 5 minutes,
- A flat line for the next 15 minutes,
- A downward slope for the last 20 minutes.
This pattern should clearly depict the volume of water in the tub over the specified time intervals.