If you descend from 5,000 ft to 2,000 ft at 500 ft/min, how many minutes does the descent take?

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Multiple Choice

If you descend from 5,000 ft to 2,000 ft at 500 ft/min, how many minutes does the descent take?

Explanation:
Understanding time for a descent comes from dividing how much altitude you must lose by the descent rate, assuming a constant rate. You need to go from 5,000 ft down to 2,000 ft, which is a drop of 3,000 ft. Descending at 500 ft per minute means you shed 500 ft each minute. Time = 3,000 ft ÷ 500 ft/min = 6 minutes. So the descent takes six minutes.

Understanding time for a descent comes from dividing how much altitude you must lose by the descent rate, assuming a constant rate.

You need to go from 5,000 ft down to 2,000 ft, which is a drop of 3,000 ft. Descending at 500 ft per minute means you shed 500 ft each minute. Time = 3,000 ft ÷ 500 ft/min = 6 minutes. So the descent takes six minutes.

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