Question

2. A skydiver jumps from a plane from an altitude of 6000 ft. An observer on the ground measures the skydiver’s altitude at time t = 0 to be 4500 ft. The linear graph shows the skydiver’s altitude at various times during her descent. (a) Identify the y-intercept. How does the y-intercept relate to the skydiver’s position relative to the ground? Explain. (b) Determine the slope of the line. According to the slope, is the skydiver ascending or descending and what is the rate of ascent or descent? Explain. (c) Identify the x-intercept. What does the x-intercept mean in this context? Explain. (d) Write an equation for the line. :  

Answer 1

The y-intercept would be 4500 ft. , and this would change relative to how long she had been falling. There is not enough information to determine a slope, but the skydiver is descending, and the rate equals the slope. The x-intercept is the time when she hits the ground. I would need a slope to find the equation.