A graph with time on the x-axis and speed on the y-axis. The graph increases, increases rapidly, and then remains constant.
Which description is the best interpretation of the graph?
Sonya left her house and accelerated as she drove toward the highway entrance. She increased her speed as she drove up the ramp to the highway and then drove a constant speed on the highway.
Sonya backed out of her driveway at a constant speed and then accelerated until she reached the street where the movie was playing. She stopped the car.
Sonya drove down her driveway at a constant speed until she reached the street. She turned and drove down the street at a constant speed. Her car went slower as she drove up a hill. At the top of the hill she drove into the parking lot of the movie theater.
Sonya accelerated as she drove down her driveway. She accelerated on the street on her way to the highway entrance. She waited for a red light, then accelerated onto the highway.
1 answer
The best interpretation of the graph is:
Sonya left her house and accelerated as she drove toward the highway entrance. She increased her speed as she drove up the ramp to the highway and then drove at a constant speed on the highway.
This description matches the characteristics of the graph: it starts with an increase in speed (acceleration), then a rapid increase (more acceleration as she approaches the highway), and finally a plateau (constant speed on the highway).
