Question

Write an algebraic representation that describes the two variables in the situation and create a graph.

An airplane at 30,000 feet is descending into the Sacramento Airport at a rate of 250 feet per minute.

Answer 1

The linear function that models the problem is

y = 250x + 30,000

How to model the required equation

The linear equation is written in the slope intercept form

y = mx + c

definition of variable to suit the problem

y = output variable (height at any given time)

m = slope

x = input variable (time)

c = y intercept

The equation as described in the problem is represented using linear function as as follows

c = 30,000 feet

m = 250 feet per minute

y = 250x + 30,000