Answer: 9 feet below the surface.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scuba diver starts 40 ft below the surface. We can represent the position of the scuba diver as:
Position = -40ft
Where the negative sign is because it is below the surface of the water, so
"He swam up 12 feet to see a unique fish."
Now we need to add 12ft
Then his new position is:
Position = -40ft + 12 ft = -28ft
"He followed the fish down 8 feet.
Now we need to subtract 8ft
His new position is:
Position = -28ft - 8 ft = -36 ft
"Then he followed the fish up 27 feet."
Now we add another 27 ft.
The final position will be:
Position = -36ft + 27ft = -9ft
Then the final position of the scuba diver is -9ft, that means that he is 9 feet below the surface.
