Question

Write a subtraction equation to model the following problem. Then solve the equation.
A traffic helicopter descends 169 meters to be 366 meters above the ground. What was the original height of the​ helicopter?

Let h be the original height of the helicopter. What is a subtraction equation that models the​ problem?

Answer 1

Let h be the original height (in meters). Descending 169 m gives h - 169 = 366.

Solve: h = 366 + 169 = 535.

The helicopter's original height was 535 meters.