Question

The mean temperature for the first 4 days in January was 7°C. The mean temperature for the first 5 days in January was 5°C. What was the temperature on the 5th day?

Answer 1

To find the temperature on the 5th day of January, we calculate the total temperature for the first 4 days and the first 5 days based on the given mean values. Subtracting the 4-day total from the 5-day total, we find that the temperature on the 5th day was -3°C.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question is asking for the temperature on the 5th day of January given the mean temperatures for the first 4 days and the first 5 days. To solve this, we first calculate the total temperature for the first 4 days by multiplying the mean (7°C) by 4 days, getting 28°C. Next, we find the total temperature for the first 5 days by multiplying the mean (5°C) by 5 days, getting 25°C. The difference between these two totals will give us the temperature on the 5th day.

First 4 days total temperature: 7°C × 4 = 28°C
First 5 days total temperature: 5°C × 5 = 25°C

To find the 5th day's temperature, we subtract the 4-day total from the 5-day total:
25°C (5-day total) - 28°C (4-day total) = -3°C

Therefore, the temperature on the 5th day of January was -3°C.