Answer: The watermelon's position during the fall can be described by the equation y = 16t^2, where y is the distance fallen in feet and t is the time in seconds.
To find the average speed during the first 4 seconds of the fall, we need to calculate the total distance fallen and divide it by the total time elapsed.
First, let's find the distance fallen in the first 4 seconds.
Substitute t = 4 into the equation y = 16t^2:
y = 16 * (4^2)
y = 16 * 16
y = 256 ft
Next, let's find the total time elapsed, which is 4 seconds.
Now, we can calculate the average speed.
Average speed = total distance / total time
Average speed = 256 ft / 4 s
Average speed = 64 ft/s
Therefore, the watermelon's average speed during the first 4 seconds of the fall is 64 ft/s.