a marine biologist wants to know the total vertical distance a dolphin travel during a jump with the surface of the water being zero is started underwater at - 35 ft jump up and out of the water the 27 ft and return to the water to swim at - 18 feet what is the total vertical distance the dolphin traveled?

107 feet is the total vertical distance the dolphin traveled.

Explanation:

Negative sign in front of the distance value is just to define the distance covered by dolphin underwater that is beneath the surface of the water

Before jump

Vertical distance covered by dolphin below the surface of water before coming out = 35 feet

Vertical distance covered by dolphin after coming out of the surface of water = 27 feet

After jump

Vertical distance covered by dolphin above the surface of water after jumping = 27 feet

Vertical distance covered by dolphin below the surface of water after jumping = 18 feet

The total vertical distance the dolphin traveled:

35 feet + 27 feet + 27 feet + 18 feet = 107 feet

From the starting depth to the surface, the vertical distance is 35 ft.

From the surface to the peak of the jump, the vertical distance is 27 ft.

From the peak of the jump to the surface, the vertical distance is 27 ft.

From the surface to the ending depth, the vertical distance is 18 ft.

Then the total vertical distance is ...

35 ft + 27 ft + 27 ft + 18 ft = 107 ft