Question

a helicopter descends until it reaches the ground. the equation $y = -300x + 1200$ gives the height, $y$, in feet, $x$ minutes after the pilot begins the descent. graph the equation.

Explanation:

Step1: Find y-intercept (x=0)

Substitute $x=0$ into $y=-300x+1200$:
$y=-300(0)+1200=1200$
Point: $(0, 1200)$

Step2: Find x-intercept (y=0)

Set $y=0$ and solve for $x$:
$0=-300x+1200$
$300x=1200$
$x=\frac{1200}{300}=4$
Point: $(4, 0)$

Step3: Plot and connect points

Mark $(0, 1200)$ (on the y-axis) and $(4, 0)$ (on the x-axis), then draw a straight line between them (only for $0 \leq x \leq 4$, since the helicopter reaches the ground at $x=4$).

Answer:

The graph is a straight line connecting the points $(0, 1200)$ and $(4, 0)$, covering the interval $0 \leq x \leq 4$ on the time axis.