A skydiver’s altitude decreased from 1815 metres to 640 metres in 25 seconds. At what rate did her altitude change?

To find the rate at which the skydiver's altitude changed, we need to calculate the change in altitude per unit of time. This is a classic example of finding the average rate of change.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Determine the change in altitude:**

   \[
   \text{Change in altitude} = \text{Initial altitude} - \text{Final altitude}
   \]

   \[
   \text{Change in altitude} = 1815 \, \text{metres} - 640 \, \text{metres} = 1175 \, \text{metres}
   \]

2. **Determine the time interval:**

   The time interval is given as 25 seconds.

3. **Calculate the rate of change:**

   The rate of change (or average rate of descent) can be found by dividing the change in altitude by the time interval:

   \[
   \text{Rate of change} = \frac{\text{Change in altitude}}{\text{Time interval}}
   \]

   \[
   \text{Rate of change} = \frac{1175 \, \text{metres}}{25 \, \text{seconds}}
   \]

   \[
   \text{Rate of change} = 47 \, \text{metres per second}
   \]

### Conclusion:

The skydiver's altitude changed at a rate of **47 metres per second**.

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Would you like more details or have any questions?

Here are some related questions you might find interesting:

1. What would be the skydiver's altitude after 10 seconds at this rate?
2. How long would it take for the skydiver to reach the ground from an altitude of 640 metres at the same rate?
3. If the skydiver deployed her parachute, reducing her rate of descent by half, what would be her new rate of change?
4. What is the significance of "rate of change" in real-life situations?
5. How do different factors, like wind resistance, affect the skydiver's rate of descent?

**Tip:** Understanding the concept of rate of change is fundamental in calculus and physics, as it applies to motion, growth, decay, and many other phenomena.

Learn how to calculate the rate of altitude change for a skydiver whose altitude decreased from 1815 metres to 640 metres in 25 seconds. This example covers the concept of average rate of change, using the formula to find a rate of 47 metres per second. Suitable for students in Grades 6-8.

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