Final answer:
The oil spill covers 520 square meters after 5 hours, calculated by multiplying the number of 1/8 hours in 5 hours (which is 40) by the rate of spread, 13 square meters per 1/8 hour.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find out how many square meters an oil spill covers after 5 hours when it spreads at a rate of 13 square meters every 1/8 hour, we first need to determine how many 1/8 hours are in 5 hours. To do this, we divide 5 hours by 1/8 hour, which gives us 40 (since 5 ÷ 1/8 = 5 × 8 = 40).
Next, we multiply the number of 1/8 hours (40) by the rate of spread (13 square meters per 1/8 hour) to get the total area covered by the oil spill after 5 hours:
40 × 13 square meters = 520 square meters.
So, after 5 hours, the oil spill will cover 520 square meters.