Question

A small fish is dropped by a pelican that is rising steadily at 0.61 m/s.The acceleration of gravity is 9.81 m/s2.

How far below the pelican is the fish after the
3.1 s?

Answer 1

Just use your good old equation of motion

s = Vot + 1/2 at^2

s = .61t - 4.9t^2

Answer 2

Of course, that's how far the fish drops. You have to add the height the bird has gained in the 3.1s.