Big Ideas Math: Modeling Real Life, Grade 8
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5. Analyzing and Sketching Graphs
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Exercise 1 Page 302

Practice makes perfect

Graphs can show the relationship between quantities without using specific numbers on the axes. Let's break down an example!

Here, the graph represents the relationship between the distance and time. The first line segment indicates that the distance increases at a constant rate at the beginning of the recorded time. The distance then stays the same for a while before decreasing at a constant rate for the rest of the time. Now, let's analyze the given graph!

The given graph shows the location of a pelican relative to our location. This means that we are standing still watching the Pelican's height change. From the graph, we can see that the horizontal distance is increasing.

Note that the rate of change is not constant. The decrease begins slowly, then it goes faster and faster. Before the graph ends, the rate of change slows down again until finally reaching its minimum.

As we described in Part A, the vertical distance decreases at a faster rate before reaching its minimum. That means the height at which the pelican flies decreases at a faster rate when it was at its maximum height before finally reaching its lowest flying height.

This can be due to the condition of the weather. For example, a cold stretch of hot air or strong winds could create a change in speed for the pelican.