Question

The altitude of Death Valley, California, is 282 feet below sea level. A hot air balloon is launched from the bottom of Death Valley and rises at a rate of 10 feet per second. After 12 seconds, the balloon captain lowers the balloon 15 feet. What is the altitude of the hot air balloon after being lowered?

Answer 1

The altitude is 177 feet below sea level after being lowered.

The balloon rises 120 feet after 12 seconds and then is dropped 15 feet. So 120 - 15 = 105. And 282 - 105 = 177