Answer:
He has been diving for 17 minutes
Explanation:
* Lets explain how to solve the problem
- Paul is diving and is 3.5 feet below sea level
- He is descending at a rate of 0.5 feet per minute
- Paul is now at 12 feet
∵ His initial position is at 3.5 feet below the sea
∵ He is descending, that means he is moving down
∵ His final position is at 12
∴ He is descending a distance = 12 - 3.5 = 8.5 feet
∵ He is descending at a rate of 0.5 feet per minute
∵ He is descending 8.5 feet
∵ Time = distance ÷ rate
∴ His time of descending = 8.5 ÷ 0.5 = 17 minutes
* He has been diving for 17 minutes