The Graph Below Describes The Fuel Remaining In A Delivery

The Graph Below Describes The Fuel Remaining In A Delivery Trucks

The graph below describes the fuel remaining in a delivery truck's tank (in liters) as a function of distance (in kilometers) is graphed. ** a. What is the y-intercept and what does it represent in this situation? b. What is the approximate average rate of change between the 100th and the 400th kilometer? c. What is the approximate average rate of change between the 400th and 600th kilometer? d. How do the answers in b and c compare? What is going on?

Paper For Above instruction

The analysis of the graph depicting the remaining fuel in a delivery truck's tank as a function of distance traveled provides critical insights into the vehicle's fuel consumption pattern. Understanding the y-intercept, calculating average rate of change over specified intervals, and comparing these changes enables us to interpret fuel efficiency dynamically and identify potential issues such as fuel inefficiency or anomalies in consumption.

The y-intercept in the graph corresponds to the value of the fuel remaining at zero kilometers, which is the point where the truck has just begun its journey. In context, this y-intercept represents the initial amount of fuel in the truck's tank before any distance has been traveled. Typically, this should match the full tank capacity if the truck starts with a full tank, providing a baseline for evaluating fuel consumption as the journey progresses. If the initial fuel amount is less than full capacity, it may indicate partial fueling or a prior fuel consumption, which is crucial for understanding the truck's starting condition.

Calculating the approximate average rate of change between the 100th and 400th kilometer involves examining the change in remaining fuel over that interval. Suppose the graph shows the fuel decreasing from approximately 30 liters at 100 km to about 10 liters at 400 km. The change in fuel is 10 - 30 = -20 liters over a distance of 400 - 100 = 300 km. The average rate of change is thus (-20 liters) / (300 km) ≈ -0.067 liters per km. This indicates that, on average, the fuel decreases by roughly 0.067 liters with each kilometer traveled within this interval, reflecting the rate of fuel consumption during this phase.

Similarly, to determine the average rate of change between 400 km and 600 km, if the graph indicates the remaining fuel drops from approximately 10 liters to zero liters, the change is 0 - 10 = -10 liters over 200 km. The average rate of change here is (-10 liters) / (200 km) = -0.05 liters per km. Comparing this to the previous rate, we observe a slight decrease in the rate of fuel consumption, suggesting that the truck is using fuel at a marginally slower rate in this later interval.

Comparing the average rates of change in parts b and c reveals that the rate of fuel consumption decreased from approximately 0.067 liters/km to about 0.05 liters/km. This indicates a trend where fuel consumption per kilometer diminishes as the truck covers more distance. Several factors could account for this pattern. One possibility is that the truck is traveling in terrain that becomes less demanding or encountering less resistance in the latter stages of the journey. Alternatively, the truck might have optimized its speed or driving conditions over time, resulting in more efficient fuel usage. It is also conceivable that the initial part of the journey involved acceleration, stopping, or other factors causing higher fuel consumption, which taper off as the truck settles into a steady cruising pace.

Furthermore, analyzing these changes can highlight potential issues such as fuel efficiency problems or unusual consumption patterns. For example, if the fuel consumption rate were to increase unexpectedly in certain intervals, it might indicate mechanical issues or changes in driving conditions, requiring further investigation. Overall, the decreasing trend in average fuel consumption rate demonstrates improved efficiency, but it also emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring to maintain optimal operational performance.

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