Which situation describes opposite quantities that when combined would equal 0? A plane ascends to 15,000 feet and then descends 15,000 feet. How many feet above the ground is the plane?

Question

A plane ascends to 15,000 feet and then descends 15,000 feet. How many feet above the ground is the plane?

A plane ascends to 10,000 feet and then ascends 15,000 feet. How many feet above the ground is the plane?
A plane ascends to 10,000 feet and then ascends 15,000 feet. How many feet above the ground is the plane?

A plane ascends to 15,000 feet and then descends 10,000 feet. How many feet above the ground is the plane?
A plane ascends to 15,000 feet and then descends 10,000 feet. How many feet above the ground is the plane?

A plane ascends to 15,000 feet and then ascends 15,000 feet. How many feet above the ground is the plane?

Answer 1

The situation that describes opposite quantities that when combined would equal 0 is:

A plane ascends to 15,000 feet and then descends 15,000 feet.

In this case, the ascent of 15,000 feet and the descent of 15,000 feet cancel each other out. Therefore, the plane is back to 0 feet relative to its starting point, which means it is at ground level.

To answer the other situations:

1. A plane ascends to 10,000 feet and then ascends 15,000 feet: The total height is 25,000 feet above the ground.
2. A plane ascends to 15,000 feet and then descends 10,000 feet: The total height is 5,000 feet above the ground.
3. A plane ascends to 15,000 feet and then ascends 15,000 feet: The total height is 30,000 feet above the ground.