Jerry measured and timed the descent of a diving bell spider in a large fish tank. the spider reached a position 4 1/2 inches below the surface of the water after descending at a constant rate for 1 1/2 seconds. jerry recorded this as −4 1/2 inches.

what is the position of the spider relative to the surface after 1 second?

b

step-by-step explanation:

we have three similar triangles, because each has a right angle and shares an angle.   let's write the angles in order: opposite to short leg, long leg, hypotenuse.

cab similar to bad similar to cbd

or as ratios,

ca: ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

we also know

ac = ad + cd

(ad+cd): ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

(ad+cd)/cb=cb/cd

we have cb=6, ad=5 and seek x=cd.

we reject the negative root and conclude x=4

answer: 4