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?

Question

Option #1: −1.6h≤40

Option #2: 1.6h≤40

Option #3: 1.6h≥40

Option #4: −1.6h≥40

(1 point)
Option # represents how long the dehumidifier can run before it becomes full.

Answer 1

To determine how much time the dehumidifier can run before it becomes full, we need to express the relationship between the amount of water extracted and the maximum capacity of the dehumidifier.

The dehumidifier removes 1.6 pints of water per hour, and it has a maximum capacity of 40 pints. We can let \( h \) represent the number of hours the dehumidifier runs.

The amount of water removed after \( h \) hours would be \( 1.6h \). We want to find the inequality that shows this amount is less than or equal to the maximum capacity of 40 pints. Thus, the inequality can be expressed as:

\[ 1.6h \leq 40 \]

So, the correct option is:

Option #2: \( 1.6h \leq 40 \).