Question

A diver begins at sea level and dives down 200 feet. He ascends at a steady rate of 121/3 feet per minute for 4.5 minutes. This depth is represented by the numerical expression:      -200 + 121 3 (4.5) Simplify the expression using the order of operations. What is the diver’s depth?      -200 + 37 3 (4.5)     -200 + 55.5

Answer 1

Answer: The divers depth is 144.5 feet below sea level. Or -144.5 feet.

To find this answer, you have to plug in 4.5 into the given equation.

The steps will look like this. I changed 12 and 1/3 to 37/3

-200 + (37/3)(4.5)
-200 + 55.5
-144.5

This is the depth of the diver after 4.5 seconds. 

Answer 2

−200+

37

3

(4.5)

=−200+55.5

=−144.5             You can use order of operations or pemdas to solve problems like this. Just remeber to go left to right and multiplaction can be before division and multiplacation can be before divison (same with subtaction and addition)