Question

A deep sea diver started at sea level 0 feet and dove at a rate of 5.6 ft/min. If the diver dove for 1/2 hour, what rational number represents his position relative to sea level?

Answer 1

D. -168 feet

Step-by-step explanation

The diver started from 0 feet (sea level) and dove at a rate of 5.6 ft/min.

Since the diver is going below sea level by diving, his position will be negative relative to sea level.

He dove for 1/2 hour. To find his position, apply the formula for speed (rate):

`\text{speed}=\frac{-\text{distance}}{\text{time}}`

Convert time to minutes:

`\begin{gathered} 1hr=60\min \\ \Rightarrow(1)/(2)hr=60\cdot(1)/(2)=30\min \end{gathered}`

Therefore:

`\begin{gathered} 5.6=(-d)/(30) \\ \Rightarrow d=-5.6\cdot30 \\ d=-168\text{ feet} \end{gathered}`