After two minutes of cooling, it was at 178 degrees and after five minutes of cooling it was at 154 degrees. At what temperature did the liquid start cooling? Show how you arrived at your answer.

Answer 1

Hi Hailie,

Step #1 - Collect All of your Data

y₁ = 178°, y₂ = 154°, x₁ = 2 minutes, x₂ = 5 minutes

Step #2 - Calculate Slope

It is assumed that this is a linear equation, therefore calculate the slope: m = ^Δy/^Δx = (154-178)/(5-2) = -8

Step #3 - Use Linear Equation (y =mx+b)

Plugging the first set of numbers into the linear equation (2,178) and performing order of operations:

178 = -8*2+b

The y intercept (b) = 194°.

At the start, the initial temperature at the start of the cool was 194°