Alexandra is scuba diving. A diving computer automatically records her depth every five minutes. The depth readings from her first 20 minutes of diving are shown in the table below.
Elapsed time (in minutes)
Depth (in meters)
0
0
5
–12.45
10
–9.7
15
–22.98
20
–6.6
Which best represents the greatest amount of change in her depth over a single 5-minute period?
–16.38 meters
–13.28 meters
13.28 meters
16.38 meters
The greatest amount of change in her depth over a single 5-minute period can be determined by finding the difference between the minimum and maximum depth readings within that period.
Based on the given depth readings, the minimum depth in a 5-minute period is -22.98 meters and the maximum depth is -6.6 meters.
Therefore, the greatest amount of change in her depth over a single 5-minute period is |-22.98 - (-6.6)| = |-22.98 + 6.6| = |-16.38| = 16.38 meters.
Therefore, the answer is 16.38 meters.