The height of a lake decreased by 20 inches over several weeks. Each week the lake decreased by 4 inches. The following equation represents this situation:

−20÷−4=5
Which of the following best describes the meaning of 5?

(1 point)
Responses

The new height of the lake is 5 inches.
The new height of the lake is 5 inches.

The time it takes the lake to decrease by 20 inches is 5 weeks.
The time it takes the lake to decrease by 20 inches is 5 weeks.

The time it takes the lake to decrease by 4 inches is 5 weeks
The time it takes the lake to decrease by 4 inches is 5 weeks

The change in the height of the lake is 5 inches.

1 answer

The equation \(-20 ÷ -4 = 5\) indicates that the lake decreased by a total of 20 inches, and since it decreased by 4 inches each week, dividing the total decrease by the weekly decrease gives 5.

Therefore, the best description of the meaning of 5 is:

The time it takes the lake to decrease by 20 inches is 5 weeks.

So the correct response is:

The time it takes the lake to decrease by 20 inches is 5 weeks.