Final answer:
To calculate the mean hourly snowfall, you subtract the initial snowfall from the final snowfall and divide by the number of hours. In this case, it’s 4 cm over 3 hours, resulting in approximately 1.33 cm/hour, with the closest answer being 1.5 cm/hour.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question you've asked is about calculating the mean hourly snowfall given that at 5 PM, the total snowfall was 3 centimeters and by 8 PM, it increased to 7 centimeters. To find the mean hourly snowfall, you take the total amount of snowfall that accumulated over the time period and divide it by the number of hours in that period. Here, the snowfall increased by 7 cm - 3 cm = 4 cm over 3 hours (from 5 PM to 8 PM).
Mean hourly snowfall = Total snowfall increase ÷ Number of hours
= 4 cm ÷ 3 hours
= 1.33 cm/hour
Therefore, the closest answer to choose from your options is d) 1.5 cm/hour.