What is the average elevation of the 3 rest points?

Question

A hiker started at an elevation of 1500 ft. She climbed up 200 ft. to her first rest point, hiked down 400 ft. to her second rest point, then climbed up 500 ft. to the third rest point. What is the average elevation of the 3 rest points?

Answer 1

When the scenario says "climbed up" & "hiked down", I believe we're expected to assume that these are not walking distances - they are elevation only, perpendicular to the horizon.

 

Thus, we need to gather elevation data for each "resting point" by tracking each rise & fall:

1. 1500+200=1700

2. 1700-400=1300

3. 1300+500=1800

 

Next, we add the three results to arrive at their sum (4800), and divide by 3 to find the average elevation (1600). Try it & see if you arrive at the same result!