Question

The water level of a river is below normal levels. Its water level is at 1 1/2
meters below sea level. During the summer, the river drops another 2 1/3
meters below sea level. What is the water level at the end of summer? Remember, the elevation is below sea level. Account for this in your answer.

Answer 1

To find the water level at the end of summer, we need to add the initial water level below sea level (1 1/2 meters) to the additional drop during summer (2 1/3 meters below sea level).

Adding the two levels:
1 1/2 + 2 1/3

First, let's convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions:
1 1/2 = (2*1 + 1)/2 = 3/2
2 1/3 = (3*2 + 1)/3 = 7/3

Now, let's add the fractions:
3/2 + 7/3

To add the fractions, we need a common denominator, which is 6:
3/2 * 3/3 = 9/6
7/3 * 2/2 = 14/6

Now, we can add the fractions:
9/6 + 14/6 = 23/6

The water level at the end of summer is 23/6 meters below sea level.