Question

Lisa descended 120 feet into a cave. She then climbed up 56 feet. If her starting point was 38 feet below sea level at the mouth of the cave, what is Lisa's elevation relative to sea level now?

A) −102 feet
B) −94 feet
C) −82 feet
D) −64 feet

Answer 1

The answer is A. -102

Explanation:

If she started at 38 feet below sea level, we would describe it as -38. If she descended 120 feet deeper, than we subtract that from -38.

-38-120=-158

She is now 158 feet below sea level, or -158.

Then, if she climbs up 56 feet, we would add that to -158.

-158+56=-102

Answer 2

A) -102 feet

She started at -38 feet. She then went -120 feet, so -38-120= -158. She then went +56 feet. -158+56=-102.