Distance between helicopter and airport Graph: Distance is 525. Time is 3.75

Which of these correctly describes the meaning of the y-intercept of the graph? A. The helicopter ends its journey 525 miles away from the airport. B. The helicopter takes 3.75 hours to travel to its final destination at the airport. C. The helicopter begins its journey 525 miles away from the airport. D. The helicopter takes 3.75 hours to travel to its final destination away from the airport.

1 answer

To determine the correct interpretation of the y-intercept of the graph, we need to understand what the y-intercept represents in the context of the distance vs. time graph.

In general, the y-intercept of a graph indicates the value of the dependent variable (in this case, distance) when the independent variable (in this case, time) is zero. This means it tells us about the initial state of the situation being represented.

Given the options:

A. The helicopter ends its journey 525 miles away from the airport.
B. The helicopter takes 3.75 hours to travel to its final destination at the airport.
C. The helicopter begins its journey 525 miles away from the airport.
D. The helicopter takes 3.75 hours to travel to its final destination away from the airport.

The correct interpretation related to the y-intercept, where time is zero, is that when the time is zero (the start of the journey), the helicopter is at a distance of 525 miles away from the airport.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

C. The helicopter begins its journey 525 miles away from the airport.