Question

A seal went 25 feet below sea level to catch a fish. A sea lion dove 10 feet less than three times as deep as the seal to catch a larger fish. Which expression represents the sea lion’s position in relation to sea level?

a.3(25) – 10
b.25 – 3(10)
c.3(–25) – 10
d.3(–25) – (–10)

Answer 1

D 3(–25) – (–10)

Explanation:

Answer 2

d.3(–25) – (–10)

Explanation:

The seal dove 25 feet below sea level. When referring to his position in relation to sea level, this is the integer -25.

The sea lion dove 10 feet less than 3 times as deep as this. 3 times as deep as the seal would be 3(-25).

Diving 10 feet less than this below sea level would be subtracting -10; this is because diving below sea level makes the ten negative, and since it's 10 feet less than the seal it's subtraction. This gives us

3(-25)-(-10)