Question

During the first hour of a snowstorm, 1 and 1/2 inches of snow fell. In the next hour, 4 and 3/8 inches fell. In the third hour, the snow stopped and 7/8 of an inch of snow melted. How much snow was on the ground at the end of the third hour?

Answer 1

1 + 4 = 5
4/8 +3/8 = 7/8
5 7/8 - 7/8 = 5 inches left on the ground after 3 hours

Answer 2

After 3 hours amount of snow on the ground will be 5 inches.

Explanation:

In the first hour of a snowstorm, amount of snow fell =
`1(1)/(2)` inches

≈
`(3)/(2)` inches

In the next hour, amount of snow fell =
`4(3)/(8)` inches

≈
`(35)/(8)` inches

In the third hour, snow stopped and melted =
`(7)/(8)` inches

Total amount of snow on the ground after three hours

=
`(3)/(2)+(35)/(8)-(7)/(8)`

=
`(12+35-7)/(8)`

=
`(40)/(8)`

= 5 inches

After 3 hours amount of snow on the ground will be 5 inches.