To determine the average rate of change in the dolphin’s position, we first need to find the total change in position from the highest point to the lowest point, and then divide by the total time taken.
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Highest Point Above Water: 3.5 meters
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Lowest Point Below Water: -10 meters (since below the surface counts as negative depth)
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Change in Position: Final position - Initial position = -10 meters - 3.5 meters = -10 - 3.5 = -13.5 meters
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Total Time: 12.5 seconds
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Average Rate of Change: \[ \text{Average Rate of Change} = \frac{\text{Change in Position}}{\text{Time}} = \frac{-13.5 \text{ meters}}{12.5 \text{ seconds}} = -1.08 \text{ meters/second} \]
Therefore, the correct interpretation of the average rate of change in the dolphin's position is:
The quotient that describes the rate of change in the dolphin’s position is −1.08 meters/second.