2. What is the rate of change of the pressure of the atmosphere as altitude increases in meters? Write a sentence answering this question using the phrase “rate of change.”

Question

1. At the beach in San Francisco (0 meters) the pressure of the atmosphere is 101.325 kPa

(kilopascals) and in Denver, 1609.344 meters above sea level, the pressure of the atmosphere

is about 83.437 kPa. Using this data, find a linear equation for pressure P in terms of

altitude h. (Hint: write the pressure and altitude in each location as a point (h, P). Then

use point-slope form to find the equation of the line.)

answer :

2. What is the rate of change of the pressure of the atmosphere as altitude increases in meters?

Write a sentence answering this question using the phrase “rate of change.”

3. Mount Everest is 8848 meters high. What does your linear approximation predict for the

pressure of the atmosphere on Mount Everest?

Answer 1

Hi Jake T.,

The two points are (0, 101.325) and (1609.344, 83.437).

The slope m = (83.437- 101.325)/(1609.344 - 0) = -0.011115088

As a fraction move the decimal to the right,

m = (83437 - 101325)/(1609344 - 0) = -17888/1609344 = -559/50292 = -0.011115088.

The slope in the answer you were given is incorrect.

I hope you can finish up from here.

If you need more let me know.

I hope this helps, Joe.