Question

50 POINTS!

2. A scuba diver was exploring a reef 77.5 m below sea level. The diver ascended to the surface at a rate of 12.5 m/min.
(a) Write an equation to model the situation. Use the formula d = rt.
(b) Explain why it is reasonable to write the distance, d, as a positive number? Explain.
(c) How long did it take the diver to reach the surface?

Answer 1

Check below for answers

Explanation:

The relation between speed, distance and time is given by:

`d=rt`

where r=12.5 m/min is the rate or speed

`d=|-77.5|=77.5m` is the distance

and t is the time in minutes.

We plug in these values to get the equation that models the situation as:

tex]77.5=12.5*t[/tex]

b) Distance is written as a positive number because we are looking at how far the diver is from the surface of the water not the position with reference to the surface of the water.

Also it is reasonable for distance to be a positive number else we will get a negative value for time.

c) We now solve for t in b)

`77.5=12.5*t`

Divide both sides by 12.5

`t=(77.5)/(12.5)`

`t=6.2min`

It took the diver 6.2 minutes to reach the surface of the water.