SOLUTION: Hi I have a word problem and I don't quite understand it. Could you please help figure out how to slove it? Here is the question/problem: A dolphin starts at the surface of the wat

Algebra ->  Real-numbers -> SOLUTION: Hi I have a word problem and I don't quite understand it. Could you please help figure out how to slove it? Here is the question/problem: A dolphin starts at the surface of the wat      Log On


   

Question 492245: Hi I have a word problem and I don't quite understand it. Could you please help figure out how to slove it? Here is the question/problem: A dolphin starts at the surface of the water. It dives down at the rate of 3 feet per second. If the water level is zero, what real number descrides the dolphin's location after 3 1/2seconds?
Thank-you
Found 2 solutions by chessace, Earlsdon:
Answer by chessace(471) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
It doesn't say which way is + or -, so assume - into the water.
dist = rate * time, so
location = -3 ft/sec * 3.5 sec = -10.5 ft

Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First. since the dolphin is diving (that's below sea-level) the number of feet here will be a negative number.
Let's see how far below sea-level the dolphin will have travelled below the surface in 3.5 seconds at the rate of 3 feet per second.
(3 ft./sec)(3.5 secs) = 10.5 feet. But of course, this is a negative number so the answer would be: -10.5