Question

At 12pm, the temperature was 57o F. By 5pm, the thermometer read 36o F. Assuming a constant change in temperature, calculate and interpret the unit rate of change (slope).

Answer 1

Answer:

Unit rate of change = -4.2°F/hour

Step-by-step explanation:

Assuming a constant rate of change, a relationship between the change of temperature as a function of time (in hours) can be described as follows:

$r= \frac{(36^oF - 57^o F)}{17 - 12}\\r= \frac{-4.2^o F}{hour}$

There is a temperature drop from 12pm to 5pm, which explains the rate of change being negative. This rate means that at every hour that goes by, the temperature drops by 4.2 degrees.