Question

Parts of New Orleans is currently below sea level and continues to sink each year. NASA images shows that one part of the city is currently 6 feet (72 inches) below sea level. Each year it continues to sink 2 more inches. Write an expression to describe the depth of New Orleans after any given year.

Answer 1

Using "h" to represent the height and "i" as the number of inches the city is falling after each year, we can construct an equation. We know that the city begins at -72 inches, as it is that far below sea level. After one year, it drops (2*1) inches, or 2 inches after that first year. After two years, the fall would be (2*2) inches, or 4 inches. Thus, the full equation would be "h = -72 - 2i".