SOLUTION: An airline chart shows that the temperature T in degrees Fahrenheit at an altitude, h, of 15000 feet is 5. At an altitude of 20,000 feet T= -15 . If T is a linear function of h,

Question 417892: An airline chart shows that the temperature T in degrees Fahrenheit at an altitude, h, of 15000 feet is 5.
At an altitude of 20,000 feet T= -15 . If T is a linear function of h, how do I write a function to describe this.

What do the slope and y intercepts tell me in the context of this problem?

Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
An airline chart shows that the temperature T in degrees Fahrenheit at an altitude, h, of 15000 feet is 5.
At an altitude of 20,000 feet T= -15 . If T is a linear function of h, how do I write a function to describe this.
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You have 2 points relating altitude and temperature:
(15000,5) and (20,000,-15)
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slope = (-15-5)/(20,000-15,000) = -20/5000 = -0.004
intercept = "b":
5 = (-0.004)15000+b
b = 5+ 60
intercept = 65
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What do the slope and y intercepts tell me in the context of this problem?
slope: the temperature decreases 0.004 degrees for every one foot
gain in altitute.
----
intercept: when the altitute is zero the temperature is 65
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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