Final answer:
To determine if the chain can support the ice cover, we must calculate the cover's weight by finding the area of the square pyramid's four sides and multiplying by the weight per square foot of ice. Without the dimensions of the pyramid, we cannot calculate the weight, leading to the conclusion that there's insufficient information.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to determine if the chain will support the ice cover in Elsa's Ice Castle, we need to calculate the weight of the ice cover and compare it to the chain's maximum weight capacity. To solve this word problem, we need to know the surface area of the square pyramid and then multiply it by the weight per square foot of ice.
Assuming that the ice cover is in the shape of a square pyramid with all four triangular sides and no bottom, the area of each triangle can be calculated by the formula for the area of a triangle (1/2 base times height). Let's say each side of the square base is 's' feet long and the slant height of the pyramid is 'l' feet long. The area of each triangular side would be 1/2 * s * l. Since there are four sides, the total surface area (SA) of the ice cover is SA = 4 * (1/2 * s * l) = 2 * s * l square feet. To find the weight, we multiply the area by the weight per square foot, which is 2.45 pounds.
The total weight (W) of the ice cover would therefore be W = SA * 2.45 pounds. If W is less than or equal to 35 pounds, the chain can support the ice cover; otherwise, it cannot. Without knowing the dimensions 's' and 'l', we cannot calculate the exact weight. Hence, the answer would be (c) Insufficient information to determine whether the chain can support the ice cover.