Question

ones filled his swimming pool with water.

• mr. jones began filling the pool at a constant rate.
• he turned off the water for a while.
• he then turned the water back on at a slower constant rate.
• mr. jones turned off the water again for a while.
• he then turned the water back on at the first rate.

which graph best represents mr. jones filling the pool?
a. graph a: gallons vs time with segments
b. graph b: gallons vs time with a peak
c. graph c: gallons vs time with segments
d. graph d: gallons vs time with segments

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the filling process

Mr. Jones' actions: fill at constant rate (steep line), stop (horizontal line), fill at slower rate (less steep line), stop (horizontal line), fill at original rate (steep line again).

Step2: Evaluate each graph

• Graph a: First steep (fast fill), horizontal (stop), less steep (slow fill), horizontal (stop), steep (fast fill) – matches the process.
• Graph b: Has a decrease (gallons go down), but filling should only increase or stay same – eliminate.
• Graph c: The last segment is less steep than the first, but should be same steepness – eliminate.
• Graph d: The last segment is less steep, should be same as first – eliminate.

Answer:

a. (The graph with a steep start, horizontal, less steep, horizontal, then steep again)