Questions: A scuba diver is 33 feet below sea level, while a hiker is 64 feet above sea level directly overhead on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. How many feet apart are they?

A scuba diver is 33 feet below sea level, while a hiker is 64 feet above sea level directly overhead on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. How many feet apart are they?

Transcript text: A scuba diver is 33 feet below sea level, while a hiker is 64 feet above sea level directly overhead on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. How many feet apart are they?

Solution

Solution Steps

To find the distance between the scuba diver and the hiker, we need to calculate the total vertical distance between them. This can be done by adding the absolute values of their respective distances from sea level.

Step 1: Define the Positions

The scuba diver is 33 feet below sea level, which can be represented as \(-33\) feet. The hiker is 64 feet above sea level, represented as \(64\) feet.

Step 2: Calculate the Total Distance

To find the total vertical distance between the scuba diver and the hiker, we add the absolute values of their respective distances from sea level: \[ \text{Total Distance} = | -33 | + | 64 | \]

Step 3: Simplify the Expression

Calculate the absolute values and add them: \[ | -33 | = 33 \] \[ | 64 | = 64 \] \[ \text{Total Distance} = 33 + 64 = 97 \]