Set up an equation that can be used to solve the problem. Solve the equation and answer the question asked.
-City A has an elevation of 15,574 feet above sea level while city B has an elevation of 18,476 feet below sea level. How much higher is City A than City B?
A) 2902 ft.
B) 34,150 ft.
C) 34,050 ft.
D) 3002 ft.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The total elevation difference between the two cities can be found by adding their elevations.

Total elevation difference = elevation of city A - elevation of city B
Total elevation difference = 15,574 ft - (-18,476 ft) 
Total elevation difference = 15,574 ft + 18,476 ft 
Total elevation difference = 34,050 ft

Therefore, the answer is C) 34,050 ft. To find the difference in elevation between City A and City B, we need to add their elevations.
Total difference = elevation of City A + elevation of City B
Total difference = 15,574 ft + (-18,476 ft) [Note that the elevation of City B is given as a negative value since it is below sea level]
Total difference = -2902 ft
So City A is 2902 feet higher than City B. However, the question asks for the magnitude of this difference (i.e. without a negative sign) which is 2902 feet. Therefore, the answer is C, 34,050 ft is incorrect because it implies that City B is higher than City A.

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