The graph attached models the descent of a hot air baloon in feet per minute. What does the x-intercept tell you in this situation? At the far left of the bottom, there is a zero, then a little further to the right, there is a 10, then a little further to the right, there is a 20, then a little further to the right is the last number on the bottom, which is a 30. That was the x part of the graph. The y part is up and down and verticle, while the x was horizontal. The vertical part which is the y part starts at the bottom, which is a 0. Then a little further up is 200. Then a little further up is 400. Then a little further up is the last number going up, which is a 600. There is a line in the graph, and one end of the line is one the 600, and the other end of the line is on the 30.

Answer 1

In the context you've provided, the x-intercept of the graph represents the point where the hot air balloon reaches a vertical height of zero feet (meaning ground level) during its descent. Since the x-axis represents time in minutes (with values of 0, 10, 20, and 30) and the y-axis represents the height of the balloon in feet (ranging from 0 to 600), the x-intercept is the point where the line intersects the x-axis (y = 0).

To interpret this specific situation, if the line intersects the x-axis at, for example, x = 20, it indicates that the hot air balloon reaches ground level after 20 minutes of descent. This tells you how long it takes for the balloon to descend from its starting height to the ground.

In summary, the x-intercept provides valuable information about the duration of the descent until the balloon lands safely on the ground.