Question

A hiker is climbing down a valley. He stops for a water break 4 times. Between each break, he descends 15 meters. How many meters did he descend? Ju Chan answered the question by writing the following: 4(−15) meters = −60 meters. Which word in the problem indicates that a negative number should be used?

Answer 1

"descends"

Explanation:

(just had the same question).

Answer 2

Answer : I think the word that indicates that negative should be used is “descend” since he took a break 4 times and each time he descend 15 meter if we look at the equation 4(-15)=-60
Where 4 is the amount of time he took a break and (-15) is the distance he descend.