Final answer:
Jerome has to rake 9.5 more bags to reach 12 bags in total. Since he rakes at a rate of 2 bags per hour, he will need 4.75 hours to rake the remaining bags.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jerome has already raked 2.5 bags of leaves and rakes at a rate of 2 bags per hour. To find out how many hours it will take him to rake a total of 12 bags, we can use a simple algebraic equation. First, subtract the bags already raked from the total goal:
Total bags needed = 12 bags - 2.5 bags already raked = 9.5 bags remaining
Now calculate the number of hours needed to rake the remaining bags:
Hours = Bags remaining / Raking rate per hour = 9.5 bags / 2 bags per hour = 4.75 hours
Therefore, it will take Jerome 4.75 hours to rake the remaining bags to reach a total of 12 bags.