**Write an equation and solve:
A diver begins at sea level and descends vertically at a rate of
2 1/2 feet per second. How long does the diver take to reach -15.6 feet?
THANK YOU!!!!
2.5x = 15.6
To find the time it takes for the diver to reach -15.6 feet, we can use the equation:
distance = rate * time
In this case, the rate at which the diver descends is given as 2 1/2 feet per second, which can also be written as a decimal, 2.5 feet per second. The distance the diver needs to reach is -15.6 feet.
Plugging these values into the equation, we have:
-15.6 = 2.5 * time
To solve for time, we need to isolate the variable by dividing both sides of the equation by 2.5:
-15.6 / 2.5 = time
Simplifying the left side gives:
-6.24 = time
Therefore, it will take the diver approximately -6.24 seconds to reach a depth of -15.6 feet.
Note: The negative sign indicates that the diver has descended below sea level.