Question

Across a horizontal distance of 25 feet, a roller coaster has a steep drop. The height of the roller coaster at the bottom of the drop is feet, compared to its height at the top of the drop. What is the average amount that the roller coaster's height changes over each horizontal foot?

Answer 1

Answer: - 5

Explanation:

1) Some information in the question is missing: the height of the roller coaster at the bottom of the drop.

2) Here is the complete question: "Across a horizontal distance of 25 feet, a roller coaster has a steep drop. The height of the roller coaster at the bottom of the drop is -125 feet, compared to its height at the top of the drop. What is the average amount that the roller coaster's height changes over each horizontal foot"

3) Now, you can calculate the average amount that the roller coaster's height changes over each horizontal foot, using this formula:

Average change = [change in height] / [change in horizontal]

4) Change in height = [final height - initial height] = - 125 feet

5) Change in horizontal distance = 25 feet

6) Answer: - 125 feet / 25 feet = - 5.

The negative sign means that the height decreased.