Descent rate per mile when descending 6,000 feet over 15 miles is approximately how many feet per mile?

Descent rate per mile when descending 6,000 feet over 15 miles is approximately how many feet per mile?

• A. 200 ft/mile
• B. 400 ft/mile
• C. 300 ft/mile
• D. 500 ft/mile

Answer: (B)

Descent rate per mile is found by dividing the total feet descended by the distance in miles. Here, 6,000 feet over 15 miles gives 6,000 ÷ 15 = 400 feet per mile. So the rate is 400 ft per mile. To see why the other numbers don’t fit: at 200 ft per mile you’d descend 6,000 ft over 30 miles; at 300 ft per mile you’d need 20 miles; at 500 ft per mile you’d reach 6,000 ft in 12 miles.

Descent rate per mile is found by dividing the total feet descended by the distance in miles. Here, 6,000 feet over 15 miles gives 6,000 ÷ 15 = 400 feet per mile. So the rate is 400 ft per mile. To see why the other numbers don’t fit: at 200 ft per mile you’d descend 6,000 ft over 30 miles; at 300 ft per mile you’d need 20 miles; at 500 ft per mile you’d reach 6,000 ft in 12 miles.