Question

An elevator descends into a mine shaft at the rate of 6 m/min. If the descent starts from 10 m above the ground level, how long will it take to reach – 350 m.

Answer 1

Starting position of mine shaft is 10 m above the ground but it moves in opposite direction so it travels the distance (–350) m below the ground.
So total distance covered by mine shaft = 10 m – (–350) m = 10 + 350 = 360 m
Now, time taken to cover a distance of 6 m by it = 1 minute
So, time taken to cover a distance of 1 m by it = $\frac{1}{6}$ minute
Therefore, time taken to cover a distance of 360 m = $\frac{1}{6}$ × 360 = 60 minutes = 1 hour (Since 60 minutes = 1 hour)
Thus, in one hour the mine shaft reaches –350 below the ground.