To find the distance the diver needs to walk along the ocean floor to the wreckage, we can use the trigonometric function tangent.
Let's assume that the distance the diver needs to walk is represented by "x" meters.
From the given information, we know that the angle of depression is 12 degrees, and the diver is lowered 40 meters.
Using the tangent function, we can set up the following equation:
tan(12 degrees) = 40 meters / x meters
Now, to solve for x, we can rearrange the equation:
x meters = 40 meters / tan(12 degrees)
Calculating this, we find:
x meters ≈ 194.97 meters
Thus, to the nearest meter, the diver needs to walk approximately 195 meters along the ocean floor to the wreckage.