Question

The table shows the change in the water level (in centimeters) of a reservoir for three months. Find the total change in the water level for the three-month period. Write your answer as a fraction or mixed number in simplest form.

The total change in the water level for the three-month period is (BLANK) centimeters.

Answer 1

The total change in the water level is
`-(33)/(28)`

Explanation:

In order to get the total change in something is to add all the numbers together. So, over that three month period, you add -1 3/4-1/28-15/28. SInce you are adding fractions, it helps to have all the denominators the same. Change -1 3/4 into -49/28. (all I did was turn the fraction into an improper fraction then did
`(7*7)/(7*4)=(49)/(28)` )

Now that we have all the same denominators, just add them/combine them.

`-(49)/(28) -(1)/(28) -(15)/(28)` =
`-(33)/(28)`