High School

A scuba diver descended [tex]$19 \frac{5}{12}$[/tex] feet below sea level. Then, he descended another [tex]$3 \frac{3}{5}$[/tex] feet. Which of the following is true about the scuba diver after both descents?

A. The location of the scuba diver in relation to sea level was [tex]$23 \frac{1}{60}$[/tex] feet.

B. The location of the scuba diver in relation to sea level was [tex]$-23 \frac{1}{60}$[/tex] feet.

C. The location of the scuba diver in relation to sea level was [tex]$-15 \frac{49}{60}$[/tex] feet.

D. The location of the scuba diver in relation to sea level was [tex]$15 \frac{49}{60}$[/tex] feet.

Answer :

Sure! Let's solve the problem step-by-step to find the depth of the scuba diver after both descents.

1. First Descent:
- The first descent is [tex]\(19 \frac{5}{12}\)[/tex] feet.
- Convert this mixed number to an improper fraction or decimal.
- [tex]\(19 \frac{5}{12} = 19 + \frac{5}{12}\)[/tex]. Calculating this, [tex]\(19 + \frac{5}{12} \approx 19.4167\)[/tex].

2. Second Descent:
- The second descent is [tex]\(3 \frac{3}{5}\)[/tex] feet.
- Convert this mixed number to an improper fraction or decimal.
- [tex]\(3 \frac{3}{5} = 3 + \frac{3}{5}\)[/tex]. Calculating this, [tex]\(3 + \frac{3}{5} = 3.6\)[/tex].

3. Total Descent:
- Add the results of the first and second descents to find the total descent.
- Total descent [tex]\(= 19.4167 + 3.6 = 23.0167\)[/tex].

4. Relation to Sea Level:
- Since descending below sea level is considered negative, the scuba diver’s position in relation to sea level is [tex]\(-23.0167\)[/tex] feet.
- This implies he is [tex]\(23.0167\)[/tex] feet below sea level.

5. Answer:
- The correct choice is the statement that says, "The location of the scuba diver in relation to sea level was [tex]\(-23 \frac{1}{60}\)[/tex]" feet, which is option B.

Hence, option B is true about the scuba diver's location after both descents.