A dolphin starts at an elevation of -16 3/4 feet. He kicks 5 times and increases his elevation by the same amount for each kick. He is now at an elevation of -5 1/4 feet. Which equation can be used to find x, the number of feet the dolphin traveled with each kick?

Question

A. 5x+5 1/4= -16 3/4
B. -5x - 5 1/4 = -16 3/4
C. 5x - 16 3/4 = -5 1/4
D. 5x - 5 1/4 = -16 3/4

Answer 1

We can solve this problem by setting up an equation based on the information given.

Let x be the number of feet the dolphin traveled with each kick.

We know that the dolphin started at an elevation of -16 3/4 feet and ended at an elevation of -5 1/4 feet.

Since the dolphin kicked 5 times and increased its elevation by the same amount for each kick, we can write the equation:

-16 3/4 + 5x = -5 1/4

Therefore, the correct equation is:
D. 5x - 5 1/4 = -16 3/4