Question

a gannet flies 24 1/2 ft above sea level. it increases its elevation by 5ft. then it dives and changes its elevation by - 47 2/3. after it dives, what is the gannets elevation relative to sea level? show your work.

Answer 1

A gannet initial elevation is 24 1/2 ft

it increases its elevation by 5ft then the elevation is 5 + 24 1/2 = 29 1/2 ft

now it dives 47 2/3 ft

so the final elevation is,

$29\frac{1}{2}-47\frac{2}{3}$$=\frac{59}{2}-\frac{143}{3}$

$=\frac{177-286}{6}=\frac{-109}{6}$

so its elevation below to the sea level is -109/6 or -18 1/6 ft