Question

During a heavy rainstorm, a city in Florida received

12 1/4 inches of rain in 25 1/2 hours. What is the approximate
rainfall rate in inches per hour?

A about 2 inches per hour

B about 1/4 inch per hour

C about 1 inch per hour

D about 1/2 inch per hour

Answer 1

Answer: D. About
`(1)/(2)` inches per hour.

Explanation:

1. The city received
`12^{(1)/(4)}` inches of rain in
`25^{(1)/(2)}` hours.

2. Let's write the mixed number as decimal numbers:

`12^{(1)/(4)}in=12.25in`

`25^{(1)/(2)}h=25.5h`

3. To find the approximate rainfall rate in inches per hour, you must divide 12.25 inches by 25.5 hours, as following:

`(12.25in)/(25.5h)=0.48(in)/(h)`

4. If you round the result to the nearest tenth, you obtain:

`0.5(in)/(h)=(1)/(2)(in)/(h)`

5. Therefore, the answer is the option D.