To determine when a stride jump can be performed, we need to check the given depths of the water to find the smallest depth that meets the criteria.
The criteria are:
1. The water must be at least 3 feet deep.
2. You can be no more than 3 feet above the water for a safe jump.
The given water depths are: 3 feet, 5 feet, 8 feet, and 10 feet.
Let's evaluate each depth sequentially:
1. Depth = 3 feet
- The depth is exactly 3 feet.
- The criteria specify the depth needs to be "at least" 3 feet.
- Therefore, 3 feet is a valid depth for the jump.
2. Depth = 5 feet
- The depth is greater than 3 feet.
- Hence, 5 feet is also a valid depth for the jump.
3. Depth = 8 feet
- The depth is greater than 3 feet.
- Therefore, 8 feet meets the criteria for the jump as well.
4. Depth = 10 feet
- The depth is greater than 3 feet.
- Thus, 10 feet is also valid for a stride jump.
Among these valid depths, we are interested in selecting the smallest depth that meets the criteria. The smallest depth that is at least 3 feet deep is 3 feet.
So, the correct answer is:
3 feet
