Question

solving problems using t with negative numbers
5 chris and michelle are professional divers. during one of their dives, chris goes 40 meters below the surface of the water, and michelle dives 13 meters below chris. what is michelles position relative to the surface of the water, in meters?

Explanation:

Step1: Determine Chris's position

Chris is 40 meters below the surface, so his position is -40 meters (using negative to represent below the surface).

Step2: Calculate Michelle's position

Michelle dives 13 meters below Chris, so we add the distance she dives below Chris to Chris's depth. That is \(-40 + (-13)\) (since diving below means moving further in the negative direction). Using the rule for adding negative numbers, \(-40 - 13 = -53\).

Answer:

-53