Question

A diver is currently at an elevation of -380 feet. Write an absolute value statement to express the diver's distance, in feet, from sea level. Then, interpret the result in this situation by explaining what this means for the diver.

Answer 1

Answer:

The absolute value function:

f(x) = |x|

is defined as:

f(x) = x              if x ≥ 0

f(x) = -x             if x < 0.

Then, knowing that the elevation of the diver is -380 ft

We can write the absolute value of the distance as:

|-380ft| = -(-380ft) = 380ft

This means that the diver is at a distance of 380 ft from sea level. (And because we know that the sign is negative, we can conclude that he is 380ft below sea level).