A diver begins at 150 feet below sea level, descends at a steady rate of 5 feet per minute for 3.5 minutes, and then ascends 122.2 feet. What is the diver’s current depth? Explain how to write a numerical expression to find the answer.

The answer is -45.3 feet depth. while minus sign shows the descend under the water with water surface as starting point.

Step-by-step explanation:

Initial depth of diver under the water   = -150 feet

Diver descends 5 feet per minute for 3.5 minutes   = 3.5 *(-5)

                                                                                         = 17.5

Note: minus sign shows that the diver is under the water.

Diver ascends  = 122.2 feet

Now adding all the terms a below as a numerical expression.

Current Depth of Diver after he descends 5 feet for 3.5 minutes and ascend 122.2 feet after    =150=17.5+122.2

                                            =45.3feet

By taking the initial depth of diver from which we add or subtract the changes made when he ascends or descends in the water to get the current depth.