Question

A big ship drops its anchor. E(t) models the anchor's elevation relative to the water's surface (in meters) as a function of time t (in seconds). E(t)=−2.4t+75 How far does the anchor drop every 5 seconds?

Answer 1

Plug in 5 for t, while ignoring the +75.

`2.4(5) = 12`
Therefore, the anchor drops 12 m. every 5 seconds

Answer 2

The anchor drops 12 meters every 5 seconds, assuming that it moves constantly.

Explanation:

The given function is

`E(t)= -2.4t+75`

Where E(t) models the anchor's elevations in relation to the water's surface. Notice that the function depends on the time.

Now, to find how far does the anchor drop every 5 seconds, we just need to replace
`t=5`

`E(5)= -2.4(5)+75=-12+75=63`

However, we just need the rate per second, which doesn't include the initial condition of 75 meters, because that's would mean we are gonna give the total meters.

`2.4(5)=12`

Therefore, the anchor drops 12 meters every 5 seconds, assuming that it moves constantly.