The graph models the descent of a hot air balloon in feet per minute. What does the y-intercept tell you in this situation. Y 600 x 30

Question

1. The balloon rises 600 feet.
2. It will take the balloon 600 minutes to descend.
3. The balloon takes 0 minutes to descend 600 feet.
4. The balloon starts its descent at 600 feet.

Answer 1

The y-intercept of a graph represents the value of the dependent variable (in this case, the height of the balloon) when the independent variable (time) is zero. In the context of the hot air balloon descending, the y-intercept indicates the starting height of the balloon at the beginning of the observation (when time is zero).

Given the options, the correct interpretation of the y-intercept is:

4. The balloon starts its descent at 600 feet.