The table shows how far a distance runner has traveled since the race began. What is her average rate of change, in miles per hour, during the interval 0.75 to 1.00 hours?

[tex]\[
\begin{tabular}{|c|c|}
\hline
Time Elapsed (Hours) & Miles Traveled (Miles) \\
\hline
0.50 & 2.00 \\
\hline
0.75 & 3.50 \\
\hline
1.00 & 4.75 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\][/tex]

A. 4.75 miles per hour
B. 5.00 miles per hour
C. 5.50 miles per hour
D. 6.00 miles per hour



Answer :

To determine the average rate of change (or speed) of the distance runner during the interval from 0.75 hours to 1.00 hours, we need to follow a step-by-step process:

1. Identify the relevant points:
- Time at the start of the interval ([tex]\( t_1 \)[/tex]): 0.75 hours.
- Distance at the start of the interval ([tex]\( d_1 \)[/tex]): 3.50 miles.
- Time at the end of the interval ([tex]\( t_2 \)[/tex]): 1.00 hours.
- Distance at the end of the interval ([tex]\( d_2 \)[/tex]): 4.75 miles.

2. Calculate the change in time ([tex]\( \Delta t \)[/tex]):
[tex]\[ \Delta t = t_2 - t_1 = 1.00 \, \text{hours} - 0.75 \, \text{hours} = 0.25 \, \text{hours} \][/tex]

3. Calculate the change in distance ([tex]\( \Delta d \)[/tex]):
[tex]\[ \Delta d = d_2 - d_1 = 4.75 \, \text{miles} - 3.50 \, \text{miles} = 1.25 \, \text{miles} \][/tex]

4. Determine the average rate of change (speed):
[tex]\[ \text{Average rate of change} = \frac{\Delta d}{\Delta t} = \frac{1.25 \, \text{miles}}{0.25 \, \text{hours}} \][/tex]

5. Simplify the result:
[tex]\[ \frac{1.25 \, \text{miles}}{0.25 \, \text{hours}} = 5.0 \, \text{miles per hour} \][/tex]

Therefore, the average rate of change, or the runner's speed, during the interval from 0.75 to 1.00 hours is [tex]\(5.0\)[/tex] miles per hour.

Thus, the correct answer is [tex]\( \boxed{5.00 \, \text{miles per hour}} \)[/tex].

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