Question

the graph shows the height of a candle, y, as a function of the amount of time it burns, x. use the graph to describe the function. the initial value is 8. it represents the candles height before it starts burning. the height of the candle decreases over time. that means the rate of change is negative. as the candle burns, its height decreases by? in. each hour. the rate of change is?

Explanation:

Step1: Identify two points on the line

We can use the points (0, 8) and (4, 4).

Step2: Calculate the rate of change

The rate - of - change formula is $m=\frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1}$. Here, $x_1 = 0,y_1 = 8,x_2 = 4,y_2 = 4$. So $m=\frac{4 - 8}{4-0}=\frac{-4}{4}=-1$.

Answer:

The height of the candle decreases by 1 in. each hour. The rate of change is - 1.