A commercial jet has been instructed to climb from its present altitude of 6000 feet to a cruising altitude of 30,000 feet. If the plane ascends at a rate of 4000 ft/min, how long will it take to reach its cruising altitude?

6 min

Step-by-step explanation:

(a) Calculate the change in height

Δh = h₂ - h₁ = 30 000 ft - 6000 ft = 24 000 ft

(b) Calculate the time to reach altitude

distance = rate * time

Divide both sides by rate

time = distance/rate = 24 000 ft * (1 min/4000 ft) = 6 min

It takes 6 min to reach cruising altitude.