Michael was learning how to scuba dive. During his first lesson he dove 10 feet below the water’s surface, then he went up 15 feet and then back down 35 feet. Write the integer that represents Michael’s depth now?
A.-60
B.-30
C.60
D.40
What am I supposed to do here to get the answer?
he started out at zero, right? So now just add up all his movements:
0 - 10 + 15 - 35 = ___
Not sure how he could come up 15 feet after diving only 10 feet down, but maybe he jumped out of the water like a dolphin.
To find Michael's current depth, we need to calculate the change in depth from his starting point.
Starting at 10 feet below the water's surface, he first went up 15 feet. This means he ascended and his depth decreased by 15 feet.
10 feet - 15 feet = -5 feet
Next, he went back down 35 feet. This means he descended and his depth increased by 35 feet.
-5 feet + 35 feet = 30 feet
Therefore, Michael's current depth is 30 feet.
The correct answer is B. -30.