A hot air balloon went from an elevation of 5,439 feet to an elevation of 3,314 feet in 34 minutes. What was its rate of descent?

Answer 1

Hi, Cayden!

Let's take a look at your problem. First, let's make sure we have the terms right - elevation refers to the height of the balloon. Descent refers to moving down, and rate of descent refers to how quickly the balloon moved down.

In this case, we have a descent of 2,125 feet (initial height of 5,439 - ending height of 3,314). Since it took 34 minutes for the balloon to descend this distance, we divide the descent by the time (2,125/34). This gives us a rate of 62.5 feet per minute.

That means that the balloon traveled downward 62.5 feet every minute. That's a fast moving balloon!

Sincerely,

~Miss G.