Question

Daredevil Danny leaped from a cliff, positioned 14.2 meters above the water's surface, and landed 2.3 meters beneath the water. The equation 14.2 + (-16.5) = -2.3 describes this event. What does the value -16.5 signify?

A. The initial height of the cliff.
B. The final depth of Danny's landing.
C. The total distance Danny traveled.
D. The height above the water Danny reached at the apex of his jump.

Answer 1

The value of -16.5 represents the total distance Daredevil Danny traveled, from the cliff top and into the water down to 2.3 meters below the surface.

Step-by-step explanation:

The value of -16.5 in the equation represents the total distance Daredevil Danny traveled. This can be understood by analyzing the equation 14.2 + (-16.5) = -2.3, where 14.2 meters is his starting height above the water, and -2.3 meters is the final depth of his landing below the water's surface. Hence, -16.5 meters indicates the total vertical distance he moved, which includes both the descent from the cliff and the additional distance beneath the water.