Answer:
(a) therefore the equation is
a(t) = -1000t + 32800
Explanation:
(a) a(t) = mt + b
(8, 24800). ( 20, 12800)
(t, a). ( t¹ , a¹)
slope or gradient, m = a¹ - t¹
a - t
m = 12800 - 24800
20 - 8
m = -12000
12
m = -1000
The slope is -1000
let's use (8, 24800) to find b.
24800 = -1000 (8) + b
24800 = -8000 + b
b= 24800 + 8000
b = 32800
therefore the equation is
a(t) = -1000t + 32800
(b) Since the slope is negative (-1000), it means that the altitude is decreasing at a constant rate of 1000 feet per minute. The negative sign indicates the descent, as the altitude is decreasing over time.
Therefore, the slope tells us that the plane is descending at a constant rate of 1000 feet per minute.
(c) The value 32800 tells us the initial altitude of the plane before descending. It indicates the starting point or the initial position of the aircraft above the ground level.
Therefore, the value 32800 represents the initial altitude of the plane before it began descending.