Question

Solve the following word problem the air temperature at 9 AM is -5.8°C. The temperature at noon is -1.6°C. What is the change in the temperature during these three hours? Write and solve an equation to show your answer . Then explain what your answer means.

Answer 1

To find the change in temperature over the three-hour period from 9 AM to noon, we can set up the problem as follows:

Let:
- \( T_1 \) = temperature at 9 AM = -5.8°C
- \( T_2 \) = temperature at noon = -1.6°C

The change in temperature (\( \Delta T \)) can be calculated using the formula:

\[
\Delta T = T_2 - T_1
\]

Substituting in the values:

\[
\Delta T = -1.6 - (-5.8)
\]

When you subtract a negative number, it is equivalent to addition:

\[
\Delta T = -1.6 + 5.8
\]

Now performing the addition:

\[
\Delta T = 4.2
\]

Thus, the change in temperature from 9 AM to noon is \( 4.2°C \).

### Explanation:
This positive change in temperature indicates that the air temperature increased by \( 4.2°C \) during the three-hour period from 9 AM to noon. Despite both temperatures being below freezing (negative), this increase shows a rising trend in temperature, which could result from various factors such as increased sunlight or changing weather conditions.