Question

Tornadoes are categorized from EF-0 to EF-5, depending on wind speed and level of destruction. EF-3, EF-4, and EF-5 tornados are considered violent. Over the 20-year period referenced in the table, about 3% of the tornadoes in the U.S. were violent. Write and solve a proportion to find the average number of violent tornadoes in Oklahoma each year.

Answer 1

To find the average number of violent tornadoes in Oklahoma each year, we can use the given information that about 3% of tornadoes in the U.S. were violent over a 20-year period. Let's assume the total number of tornadoes in the U.S. over the 20-year period is "T" and the average number of violent tornadoes in Oklahoma each year is "V."

We can set up the following proportion to solve for "V":

(3% of T) / 20 years = V tornadoes per year

To solve for V, we can first convert 3% to a decimal by dividing by 100:

3% = 0.03

Now, we can set up the proportion:

0.03T / 20 = V

To solve for V, we can multiply both sides of the equation by 20 to isolate V:

0.03T = 20V

Divide both sides by 0.03 to solve for V:

V = 20T / 0.03

Now, we can substitute the actual value of T to find the average number of violent tornadoes in Oklahoma each year. Let's assume T is the total number of tornadoes in the U.S. over the 20-year period.

For example, if we assume there were 1000 tornadoes in the U.S. over the 20-year period, then the average number of violent tornadoes in Oklahoma each year would be:

V = (20 * 1000) / 0.03
V = 666.67

So, based on the given proportion and assuming 1000 tornadoes over the 20-year period, the average number of violent tornadoes in Oklahoma each year would be approximately 666.67.