A hot-air balloon descends at a rate of 18 feet per minute. How far will the balloon descend in 10.6 minutes?

Question

anonymous · Answer

@zepdrix

anonymous · Answer

@JA1

anonymous · Answer

@Hero

anonymous · Answer

@Luigi0210

anonymous · Answer

@ganeshie8
@phi
@amistre64
@themaster
@mathmale
@hoblos

anonymous · Answer

The equation for y, it's height is:$$y=-18x$$
Where x is the amount of time.
So just put in 10.6 in for x.

anonymous · Answer

so it would be -190.8?

anonymous · Answer

Yes.

kirbykirby · Answer

"yes" but that's more like a vector quantity. You say it will descend 190.8 feet. (Don't say "It will descend -190.8 feet")

anonymous · Answer

so i guess ill keep it a positive?

anonymous · Answer

Kirby has it.

anonymous · Answer

Choice 'A' 	1.698 feet
Choice 'B' 	         190.8 feet
Choice 'C' 	-190.8 feet
Choice 'D' 	-1.698 feet

kirbykirby · Answer

Hm.. LOL this is not the ideal situation.

anonymous · Answer

Oh God, that's tricky. The math says that it is -190.8 feet. But if you fill in the blank, you'd say that it will descend 190.8 feet

kirbykirby · Answer

^Yeah, but the thing is that the prof might just consider it the way he/she wants it (they might be looking for the sign even though the question is worded to give a scalar quantity... sometimes profs are not consistent :( I've had this occurs sometimes)... If this was a long answer it would be easy to discuss this answer.

anonymous · Answer

I don't think she is in college. O.O I think this is a basic algebra problem.

kirbykirby · Answer

I think the safest thing is to use the positive quantity since that is how the question is worded though, and discuss this if the prof disagrees... because "It has descended" implies a negative distance already

anonymous · Answer

im doing online mathcourse with a mix of algebra Boolean geometry and trigonometry

anonymous · Answer

so i guess ill do a positive

kirbykirby · Answer

^I think that's the "safest" answer, but I am very sorry in advance if the teacher considers it otherwise :(

anonymous · Answer

Maybe he/she would give you extra credit if you brought it to their attention or something?

anonymous · Answer

this is an online course no teacher involved lol

kirbykirby · Answer

^Oh dear, well best of luck!

anonymous · Answer

thanks