Question

Mel slides down waterslide A, and Victor slides down waterslide B. After 2 seconds, Mel was 50 feet in the air, and after 5 seconds, she was 35 feet in the air. After 1 second, Victor was 60 feet in the air, and after 4 seconds, he was 50 feet in the air. Who was descending at a faster rate?
Mel: (2, 50) and (5, 35)

Victor: (1, 60) and (4, 50)

Mel’s rate of change is _. That means that her height in the air decreases _ feet every second.


Victor’s rate of change is _. That means that his height in the air decreases _ feet every second.

Answer 1

Answer:

Mel was descending at 5 feet per second and Victor was descending at 3.33 feet per second, thus Mel was descending faster.

Since after 2 seconds, Mel was 50 feet in the air, and after 5 seconds, she was 35 feet in the air, while after 1 second, Victor was 60 feet in the air, and after 4 seconds, he was 50 feet in the air, to determine who was descending at a faster average rate and what is Mel's rate of change, the following calculations must be performed:

You must subtract the difference between the two times for each person, and check which is the highest rate between the two.

Mel =

(50 - 35) / (5 - 2) = X

15/3 = X

5 = X

Victor =

(60 - 50) / (4 - 1) = X

10/3 = X

3.33 = X

Therefore, Mel was descending at 5 feet per second and Victor was descending at 3.33 feet per second, thus Mel was descending faster.