An aircraft operating a domestic flight descends steadily from an altitude of 32,000 feet to 8,000 feet at a constant descent rate of 1,500 feet per minute. How many minutes does this descent take?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. 16 minutes

  1. Step 1: Total altitude descended = 32,000 - 8,000 = 24,000 feet. Step 2. Time = 24,000 / 1,500 = 16 minutes. Answer: 16 minutes, dividing the 24,000 feet altitude loss by 1,500 feet per minute. Why not the others: 21.3 minutes forgets to subtract the target 8,000 feet altitude.

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