Question

Linda was touring Florida, which has an elevation of 5 degrees below sea level. A helicopter flew over her at an elevation of 196 feet. How far above the ground where Linda was standing was the helicopter?

A) 191 feet
B) 196 feet
C) 201 feet
D) 5 feet

Answer 1

The helicopter was 196 feet above Linda's position at sea level. We disregard the 5-degree negative elevation as it does not affect the helicopter's elevation which is measured from sea level.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question involves calculating how far above the ground a helicopter was flying overhead in reference to Linda's position which is 5 degrees below sea level. To find the distance of the helicopter from the ground where Linda was standing, we simply ignore the 5-degree incline due to elevation and take the elevation of the helicopter only. Since a helicopter's elevation is measured from sea level and Linda is also at sea level (albeit 5 degrees below), the elevation of the helicopter is also the distance from the ground level where Linda is. Therefore, the helicopter was at an elevation, and consequently, a distance of 196 feet above Linda's position at sea level.