Scientists are studying the temperature on a distant planet. Let y represent the temperature (in degrees Celsius). Let x represent the height above the surface (in kilometers). Suppose that x and y are related by the equation -5x+46=y

Answer the questions below.
Note that a change can be an increase or a decrease.
For an increase, use a positive number. For a decrease, use a negative number.
What is the temperature change for each kilometer we go up from the surface?

What is the temperature on the surface of the planet?

1 answer

The temperature change for each kilometer we go up from the surface can be found by taking the derivative of the equation -5x + 46 = y with respect to x. This gives us -5, which means that the temperature decreases by 5 degrees Celsius for every kilometer we go up from the surface.

To find the temperature on the surface of the planet, we can plug in x = 0 into the equation. This gives us y = -5(0) + 46 = 46 degrees Celsius. So, the temperature on the surface of the planet is 46 degrees Celsius.