Question

Austin spends a winter day recording the temperature once every three hours for science class. At 9 am, the temperature was -1.9°F. Between 9am and noon, the temperature rose 11.3°F. Between noon and 3pm, the temperature dropped 7.9°F. Between 3pm and 6pm, the temperature dropped 12.7°F. What was the temperature at 6pm?

Answer 1

To find the temperature at 6pm, we need to start with the temperature at 9am and then add or subtract the changes in temperature that occurred during the day.

We know that the temperature at 9am was -1.9°F. Between 9am and noon, the temperature rose 11.3°F, so at noon the temperature was:

-1.9 + 11.3 = 9.4°F

Between noon and 3pm, the temperature dropped 7.9°F, so at 3pm the temperature was:

9.4 - 7.9 = 1.5°F

Between 3pm and 6pm, the temperature dropped 12.7°F, so at 6pm the temperature was:

1.5 - 12.7 = -11.2°F

Therefore, the temperature at 6pm was -11.2°F.