Math Problem Statement

A delivery truck has a full tank of fuel. The scatter plot below shows the number of gallons of fuel remaining in the truck each hour after the first 4 hours of driving. Use the data to determine: Choice 1 (whether fuel increases or decreases), Choice 2 (the rate of fuel usage), and Choice 3 (maximum gallons of fuel in the tank).

Solution

To solve the problem, we analyze the scatter plot and determine the values for each statement:

Step-by-step analysis:

  1. Choice 1: Does the fuel increase or decrease?
    From the scatter plot, as the number of hours increases, the gallons remaining decreases.

    • Correct answer: 2. decreases
  2. Choice 2: Determine the rate at which the truck uses fuel.
    To find the rate of fuel usage, we calculate the slope of the line connecting the points:
    Slope=Change in gallonsChange in time\text{Slope} = \frac{\text{Change in gallons}}{\text{Change in time}}
    Using the points (1,114)(1, 114) and (4,81)(4, 81):
    Slope=8111441=333=11gallons per hour.\text{Slope} = \frac{81 - 114}{4 - 1} = \frac{-33}{3} = -11 \, \text{gallons per hour.}
    The rate is 11 gallons per hour (negative because it decreases).

    • Correct answer: 2. 11
  3. Choice 3: Determine the maximum fuel in the tank.
    The starting point at hour t=0t = 0 can be found by extending the line back.
    The equation of the line is:
    y=11x+by = -11x + b
    Substituting x=1x = 1 and y=114y = 114:
    114=11(1)+b    b=125.114 = -11(1) + b \implies b = 125.
    The y-intercept b=125b = 125 represents the maximum gallons in the tank.

    • Correct answer: 2. 125

Final Answers:

  • Choice 1: 2. decreases
  • Choice 2: 2. 11
  • Choice 3: 2. 125

Let me know if you need more clarification or a breakdown of any part!


Related Questions:

  1. How do you calculate the slope of a line given two points?
  2. What is the equation of a line in slope-intercept form?
  3. How can a scatter plot be used to predict future values?
  4. Why is the slope negative in this case?
  5. How do you interpret the y-intercept in a real-world context?

Tip:

To identify the rate of change from a graph, always calculate the slope using two points on the line: slope=change in ychange in x\text{slope} = \frac{\text{change in y}}{\text{change in x}}.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Linear Equations
Slope
Rate of Change
Y-intercept

Formulas

Slope = (Change in y) / (Change in x)
Equation of a line: y = mx + b

Theorems

Slope-intercept form of a linear equation

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 7-9