To find the change in temperature from 9:00 a.m. to noon, we can set up an equation using the initial and final temperatures.
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Define the Variables:
- Let \( T_1 \) be the temperature at 9:00 a.m.: \( T_1 = -5.8 , ^\circ C \)
- Let \( T_2 \) be the temperature at noon: \( T_2 = -1.6 , ^\circ C \)
- Let \( \Delta T \) be the change in temperature.
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Set up the equation: \[ \Delta T = T_2 - T_1 \] Substituting the given temperatures: \[ \Delta T = -1.6 - (-5.8) \]
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Calculate: \[ \Delta T = -1.6 + 5.8 \] \[ \Delta T = 4.2 , ^\circ C \]
The change in temperature during these three hours is \( 4.2 , ^\circ C \).
Explanation of the Answer
This result means that from 9:00 a.m. to noon, the temperature increased by \( 4.2 , ^\circ C \). In simpler terms, the weather became warmer over this time period. Starting at a rather cold temperature of \( -5.8 , ^\circ C \) in the morning, it rose to a still chilly but much less severe \( -1.6 , ^\circ C \) by noon. This change could be due to various environmental factors such as the sun rising higher in the sky and warming the air.