Question

A deep sea diver started at sea level 0 feet and dove at a rate of 5.6 ft/min. If the diver dove for 1/2 hour, what rational number represents his position relative to sea level?

Answer 1

ANSWER

D. -168 feet

EXPLANATION

The diver started from 0 feet (sea level) and dove at a rate of 5.6 ft/min.

Since the diver is going below sea level by diving, his position will be negative relative to sea level.

He dove for 1/2 hour. To find his position, apply the formula for speed (rate):

$\text{speed}=\frac{-\text{distance}}{\text{time}}$

Convert time to minutes:

$\begin{gathered} 1hr=60\min \\ \Rightarrow\frac{1}{2}hr=60\cdot\frac{1}{2}=30\min \end{gathered}$

Therefore:

$\begin{gathered} 5.6=\frac{-d}{30} \\ \Rightarrow d=-5.6\cdot30 \\ d=-168\text{ feet} \end{gathered}$