Final answer:
The correct answer is option (C). The distance between the top of a mountain standing at 6,789 feet and the bottom of a lake at -340 feet below sea level is 7,129 feet.
Step-by-step explanation:
Standing atop a mountain that towers 6,789 feet above sea level, the serene vista is interrupted by the presence of a lake below. The lakebed, situated at a depth of -340 feet, plunges beneath sea level.
To determine the total distance between the mountain's summit and the lake's bottom, one must consider both the elevation of the mountain and the depth of the lake.Mathematically, the calculation involves adding the elevation of the mountain to the depth of the lake.
Thus, 6,789 feet (mountain height) plus -340 feet (lake depth) equals 6,449 feet. However, it's essential to recognize that the result is below sea level, indicating a descent into the aquatic depths.
So, the accurate representation is that you stand 6,449 feet above sea level, and the lake's bottom is 6,449 feet below sea level.
This nuanced understanding clarifies that the total distance between you and the very bottom of the lake is 7,129 feet below sea level, as you must account for both the mountain's elevation and the lake's depth. Therefore, Option C, "7,129 feet below sea level," accurately reflects this comprehensive measurement.