Question

A biologist studied the growth of two different trees over a five-year period. At thebeginning of the study, she measured each tree's diameter. The biologist took thissame measurement each year to determine the growth.Silver MapleThe red maple in her study had a starting diameterof 4 inches. The diameter grew at an average rateof 0.3 inches per year. The graph on the right showsthe growth rate of the silver maple tree. Which functionhas a greater rate of change?

Answer 1

for the red maple,

the rate of change or growth rate in diameter is 0.3 inches per year.

this rate of change is equal to

$=\frac{vertical\text{ change}}{\text{horizontal change}}\text{ = 0.3 inches / yr}$

For the silver maple.

$=\frac{vertical\text{ change}}{\text{horizontal change }}=\frac{4-3}{2-0}=\frac{1}{2}=\text{0}.5\text{ inches/ year}$

so the answer for red maple is 0.3

and for silver maple is 0.5