paul is diving and is 3.5 feet below sea level. he is descending at a rate of 0.5 feet per minute. if paul is now at 12 feet how many minutes has he been diving

He has been diving for 17 minutes

Step-by-step explanation:

* Lets explain how to solve the problem

- Paul is diving and is 3.5 feet below sea level

- He is descending at a rate of 0.5 feet per minute

- Paul is now at 12 feet

∵ His initial position is at 3.5 feet below the sea

∵ He is descending, that means he is moving down

∵ His final position is at 12

∴ He is descending a distance = 12 - 3.5 = 8.5 feet

∵ He is descending at a rate of 0.5 feet per minute

∵ He is descending 8.5 feet

∵ Time = distance : rate

∴ His time of descending = 8.5 : 0.5 = 17 minutes

* He has been diving for 17 minutes