Final answer:
The average monthly change in water level is calculated by adding together the monthly water level changes and dividing by the number of months, resulting in an average monthly change of -1.73 feet.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the average monthly change in water level from the given data, we first add up all the changes in water level and then divide by the number of months. The provided water level changes over four months are -2.54, -3.16, -2.82, and 1.6 feet.
First, we find the total change in water level by adding these four numbers:
Total change = (-2.54) + (-3.16) + (-2.82) + 1.6
Total change = -6.92 feet
Next, to find the average monthly change, we divide the total change by the number of months, which is 4:
Average monthly change = Total change ÷ Number of months
Average monthly change = (-6.92 feet) ÷ 4
Average monthly change = -1.73 feet
Thus, the average monthly change in water level is -1.73 feet.