Question

which graph could represent a car that begins by increasing its speed, then travels at a constant speed, and then decreases its speed, as time increases? speed (miles per hour) time (minutes)

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze increasing speed

When the car is increasing its speed, the slope of the speed - time graph should be positive.

Step2: Analyze constant speed

When the car is traveling at a constant speed, the slope of the speed - time graph should be zero (a horizontal line).

Step3: Analyze decreasing speed

When the car is decreasing its speed, the slope of the speed - time graph should be negative.

The given graph has a positive - slope part (increasing speed), a zero - slope part (constant speed), and a negative - slope part (decreasing speed).

Answer:

The graph provided in the problem (with a positive - slope segment, then a horizontal segment, then a negative - slope segment) is the correct representation.