Final answer:
The correct equation is 14.2 = 0.6 + 0.3 - 0.2 + x, where x is the water level at the beginning of April. After calculating the net change of 0.7 m, we find that x = 14.2 m - 0.7 m, which means the water level at the beginning of April was 13.5 meters.
Step-by-step explanation:
To solve for the water level at the beginning of April, we can set up an equation based on the changes during the subsequent months. The equation is correct as you've written it: 14.2 = 0.6 + 0.3 - 0.2 + x, where x is the water level at the beginning of April. Now, let's rearrange the equation to solve for x:
14.2 = x + 0.7
We combine the changes to the water level by adding the increases and subtracting the decreases from the final water level. The 0.6 m and 0.3 m are increases, while the 0.2 m is a decrease, resulting in a net increase of 0.7 m (0.6 + 0.3 - 0.2).
To find the water level at the beginning of April (x), we simply subtract 0.7 m from the final water level:
x = 14.2 m - 0.7 m
x = 13.5 m
Therefore, the water level at the beginning of April was 13.5 meters.