Question

An ice sculpture is melting at a constant rate. It's weight changes -1 4/5 pounds every hour. What is the total change in weight of the sculpture after 3 1/2 hours?

Answer 1

It will decrease by 6 3/10 lbs in the 3 1/2 hours

Explanation:

The rate is -1 4/5 lbs per hour

The time is 3 1/2 hours

Multiply to find the weight change

-1 4/5 * 3 1/2

Change to improper fractions

- ( 5*1 +4) /5 * ( 2* 3+1)/2

- 9/5 * 7/2

-63/10

Changing back to a mixed number

-6 3/10

It will decrease by 6 3/10 lbs in the 3 1/2 hours

Answer 2

-6 3/10 pounds

Explanation:

The weight of ice sculpture changes -1 4/5 pounds every 1 hour.

In 3 1/2 hours, multiply the time with the weight.

-1 4/5 × 3 1/2

Multiply.

-9/5 × 7/2

-63/10 = -6 3/10