High School

After reaching the top of the hill, John rides his bicycle 173 feet down the hill into a valley before stopping for a water break. What equation can be used to find John's elevation in feet relative to his starting point?

A) Elevation = Initial Elevation - 173 feet
B) Elevation = Initial Elevation + 173 feet
C) Elevation = 173 feet - Initial Elevation
D) Elevation = 173 feet × Initial Elevation

Answer :

Final answer:

The correct equation for finding John's new elevation after descending 173 feet into a valley is A) 'Elevation = Initial Elevation - 173 feet'. This represents the loss in elevation from the starting point at the top of the hill.

Explanation:

The equation that can be used to find John's elevation in feet relative to his starting point after riding 173 feet down into a valley would account for the descent from the initial elevation at the top of the hill. This can be represented as:

Elevation = Initial Elevation - 173 feet

This means that to find John's new elevation relative to his starting point, you subtract 173 feet from his starting elevation. Remember that descending down the hill means you're deducting that distance from the initial elevation to compute the new one.