Question

A large dehumidifier removes 1.6 pints of water from the air around it per hour. The dehumidifier can hold up to 40 pints of water. Which option number represents the inequality that shows how much time the dehumidifier can run before it becomes full?

Option #1: −1.6h≤40


Option #2: 1.6h≤40


Option #3: 1.6h≥40


Option #4: −1.6h≥40

Answer 1

To determine how much time the dehumidifier can run before it becomes full, we need to relate the amount of water it can remove (1.6 pints per hour) to its capacity (40 pints).

Let \( h \) represent the number of hours the dehumidifier runs. The amount of water removed after \( h \) hours is \( 1.6h \) pints. We want to find out when this amount is less than or equal to the capacity of the dehumidifier:

\[
1.6h \leq 40
\]

Thus, the correct option representing the inequality is:

**Option #2: 1.6h ≤ 40**.