Explore the Lesson

B. Interpreting Graphs

Investigation

In 1999, Darren Powell recorded the fastest downhill snowboarding speed of 201.9 km/h on the slopes of Les Arcs, France. Simone Origone, from Italy, recorded the fastest downhill skiing speed of 251.4 km/h on that same hill in 2006.

The following links show Darren Powell and Simone Origone speeding down the slopes of Les Arcs, France.

 

Approximate data for Simone Origone and Darren Powell's runs are represented in the graph below.



Data
a collection of information


Using the information in the graph, answer the following questions.

  1. What is the approximate top speed of each person?

  2. How much longer did it take Darren to reach his top speed, as compared to Simone?

  3. Who had the faster top speed?

  4. Compare and describe what is happening to the speed of each athlete between 0 and 6.5 seconds?

  5. Compare what is happening to Simone and Darren's speeds as they both slow down. Who slows down more quickly?

  6. Make several suggestions for how this graph and any information provided in the beginning of the investigation could be modified to improve its clarity.