A roller coaster starts from a deck at an elevation of 20 feet above the ground. On the first hill it climbs 78 feet and then drops 85 feet. On the second hill the coaster climbs 103 feet and then drops 110 feet. How far below or above the deck is the coaster after the second hill?
Answer:
Up means +
down means -
As per the statement:
A roller coaster starts from a deck at an elevation of 20 feet above the ground.
A roller started Initially 20 feet from the ground .
On the first hill it climbs 78 feet
So:
20+78= 98
The coaster is 98 ft above at this point.
Then, drops 85 feet.
⇒ it went down 85 feet
so;
98-85 = 13 feet
On the second hill the coaster climbs 103 feet
Went up 103 feet
so:
13+103 = 116 feet
and then drops 110 feet.
Finally, it went down 110 feet
⇒116 - 110 = 6 feet
Therefore, 6 feet above the deck is the coaster after the second hill.