Final answer:
The correct calculation for determining how much less rainfall occurred this year compared to the average is by subtracting this year's rainfall from the average annual rainfall, resulting in 8.223 inches less rain, not 8.323 as initially calculated.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine how much less rain fell this year compared to an average year in Clearview, we subtract the amount of rainfall this year from the average annual rainfall. The calculation is as follows:
Average annual rainfall = 38 inches
Rainfall this year = 29.777 inches
We subtract the rainfall this year from the average annual rainfall:
38 inches (average) - 29.777 inches (this year) = 8.223 inches
Therefore, 8.223 inches less rain fell this year than in an average year. It looks like you may have made a slight mistake in your calculation. The correct subtraction results in 8.223 inches, not 8.323 inches.