Question

At 9:00 a.m., the wind speed at Harbor Bay was recorded. After that, the wind speed was recorded every hour. Each measurement showed an increase in wind speed of 3 miles per hour. The strongest wind was recorded at 4:00 p.m., and measured 52 miles per hour. After that, the wind speeds started to decrease. How windy was it when the experiment began?

Answer 1

The wind speed was 31 miles per hour when the experiment began.

Step-by-step explanation:

My teacher reviewed the test and said all the right answers.

Answer 2

The wind speed was 31 miles per hour when the experiment began.

Explanation:

Linear Dependency

The wind speed is known to increase at a rate of 3 miles per hour every hour.

From 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. there are 7 hours.

Thus, the speed increased by 7 * 3 = 21 miles per hour during that period of time.

Assuming the wind increased linearly, and its speed was measured at 52 miles per hour at 4:00 p.m., then the initial speed at 9:00 a.m. is calculated by subtracting:

52 miles / hour - 21 miles / hour = 31 miles / hour

The wind speed was 31 miles per hour when the experiment began.