Question

A scuba diver was exploring a reef 32.12 m below sea level. The diver ascended to the surface at a rate of 8.8 m/min.

Answer 1

Answer:

a) The equation to model the situation is 8.8 m/min $\times$ t minutes = 32.12 m

b) The reason to write distance as positive number is because he is ascending to point zero

c) It took 3.65 minutes for scuba driver to reach the surface

Solution:

Given, A scuba diver was exploring a reef 32.12 m below sea level. The diver ascended to the surface at a rate of 8.8 m/min.

(a) Write an equation to model the situation.

If the diver ascends at 8 m/min from 32.12 below sea level we can write an expression if d is the distance, t is the time and r is the rate. This expression can calculate the distance he is below sea level, the rate or the time it takes to reach the surface.

Using the formula d = rt, so 32.12 m = 8.8m/min $\times$ (t) time minutes

b) Explain why it is reasonable to write the distance, d, as a positive number.

We can write the distance as a positive number because the diver is 32 m below sea level and he is ascending and not descending below that point. Which means he is ascending to point zero.

(c) How long did it take the diver to reach the surface?

We can calculate the time with the expression d = rt

$\rightarrow 32.12=8.8 \times \mathrm{t} \rightarrow \mathrm{t}=\frac{32.12}{8.8}=3.65$

The time it takes to reach the surface is 3.65 mins.

Hence, a) 32.12 m = 8.8 m/min x t minutes, b) because he is ascending to point zero, c) 3.65 minutes.