Final Answer:
The temperature at 3 a.m. is D) 5 degrees below zero. (Option D)
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the temperature at 3 a.m., we start with the initial temperature of 9 degrees below zero at 12 a.m. By 3 a.m., the temperature has dropped 5 degrees, resulting in a temperature of 9 - 5 = -5 degrees.
Subsequently, between 3 a.m. and 12 p.m., the temperature rose by 16 degrees. Adding this increase to the 3 a.m. temperature, we get -5 + 16 = 11 degrees above zero.
The temperature at 3 a.m. was 5 degrees below zero. The drop of 5 degrees from the initial temperature of 9 degrees below zero brought it to -5 degrees. The subsequent rise of 16 degrees brought the temperature to 11 degrees above zero by 12 p.m. This calculation emphasizes the dynamic nature of temperature changes, showcasing how fluctuations can occur over different time intervals.(Option D)