Answer:
The required equation is x+295=285 , where x= starting altitude( in feet).
The starting altitude is -11 feet.
Let x be the starting altitude( in feet) .
Given: The Hiking Club is taking another trip. The hike leader's watch shows that they gained 296 feet in altitude from their starting position.
Then, the altitude is now = x+ 296
Since their altitude is now 285 feet.
So the required equation is x+296=285
Subtract 296 from both sides, we get
x= -11