As an airplane rises, the outside temperature drops 3.6°F on the ground when the plane takes off and -43°F at cruising altitude. How high is the plane then?algebra

1 answer

Let's call the height of the plane H.

From the information given, we can set up the following equation to represent the change in temperature as the plane rises:
H * 3.6 = H * (-43)

By simplifying the equation, we have:
3.6H = -43H

Adding 43H to both sides of the equation, we get:
43H + 3.6H = 0

Combining like terms, we have:
46.6H = 0

Dividing both sides of the equation by 46.6, we get:
H = 0

Hence, the plane is at a height of 0, which means it is still on the ground.