Question 120638
#1


First convert 3.25 mi into feet

{{{3.25*(5280_feet/1_mile)=17160_feet}}}


So 3.25 miles is equivalent to 17,160 feet


Lets draw a picture to see whats going on:

{{{drawing(500,500,-5,10,-2,10,
locate(-4,2,height=1800 ft),
locate(3,-1,base=17160 feet),
line(0,0,0,5),
line(0,5,8,0),
line(8,0,0,0)
)}}}


Remember, the slope is the "rise" (which is the height) over the "run" (which is the base)

So the slope is 


{{{Slope=rise/run=height/base=-1800/17160}}} note: since we are descending the rise is negative. So the "rise" is really a descent


Now reduce the fraction {{{-1800/17160}}} to {{{-15/143}}}


So the slope is


{{{-15/143}}}


Now if you want it in decimal form, simply divide 15 by 143 like this


{{{-15/143=-0.1048951048951}}}


which to the nearest hundredth is


{{{-0.10}}}


So the slope of his descent is roughly {{{-0.10}}}