Question

1. temperature of specimen

Explanation:

Step1: Recall slope formula

The slope \( m \) between two points \((x_1, y_1)\) and \((x_2, y_2)\) is \( m=\frac{y_2 - y_1}{x_2 - x_1} \).
Here, \((x_1, y_1)=(0.5, - 1)\) and \((x_2, y_2)=(5.5, 4)\).

Step2: Substitute values into formula

Substitute \( x_1 = 0.5 \), \( y_1=-1 \), \( x_2 = 5.5 \), \( y_2 = 4 \) into the slope formula:
\( m=\frac{4-(-1)}{5.5 - 0.5}=\frac{4 + 1}{5}=\frac{5}{5}=1 \).

Answer:

The slope of the line (rate of temperature change) is \( 1 \) \( ^\circ\text{F per hour} \).