Question

A football team gained 6 yards on the first​ down, lost 19 yards on the second​ down, and gained 17 yards on the third down. How many yards does it need to gain on the fourth down to have a​ 10-yard gain​ (known as getting a first​ down) from its starting​ position?

Answer 1

They need to earn 6 yards on the fourth down to have a 10 yard gain from their starting position

Explanation:

A football team gained 6 yards on the first​ down, lost 19 yards on the second​ down,

Total gained yards:

6 - 19 = -13 yards

So at the end of 2nd down the team lost 13 yards.

They gained 17 yards on the third down.

-13 + 17 = 4

So at the end of 3rd down the team gained 4 yards.

They want 10 yard gain at the end of 4th down.

If they gain 6 yards in the 4th down then the sum will be 10 yards

4 + 6 = 10

Hence, they need to earn 6 yards on the fourth down to have a 10 yard gain from their starting position.