A delivery truck's distance from its starting point is recorded every hour. The data shows: Hour 1: 45 miles, Hour 2: 90 miles, Hour 3: 135 miles, Hour 4: 160 miles, Hour 5: 185 miles. Sarah claims the truck traveled at a constant rate for the entire trip. Which analysis correctly evaluates her claim? Answer: Sarah is incorrect because the rate was consistent for hours 1-3 but decreased significantly afterward
To evaluate constant rate, we calculate the rate of change between consecutive hours. Hours 1-2: (90-45)÷1 = 45 mph. Hours 2-3: (135-90)÷1 = 45 mph. Hours 3-4: (160-135)÷1 = 25 mph. Hours 4-5: (185-160)÷1 = 25 mph. The rate is constant at 45 mph for hours 1-3, then decreases to a constant 25 mph for hours 4-5. This shows two different constant rates, not one constant rate throughout.
