Question

Maria has to spend 5 1/2
hours to finish her community service program in a community health clinic. Last week, she was able to spend 3 3/4
hours. Which equation can be used to determine the number of hours, h
, that Maria still needs to spend to complete her service program?(1 point)
Responses

h − 3 3/4 = 5 1/2
h minus 3 and three-fourths equals 5 and one-half

h + 3 3/4 = 5 1/2
h plus 3 and three-fourths equals 5 and one-half

h − 5 1/2 = 3 3/4
h minus 5 and one-half equals 3 and three-fourths

h + 5 1/2 = 3 3/4

Answer 1

To determine the number of hours, \( h \), that Maria still needs to spend to complete her community service program, we need to set up an equation involving the total hours required and the hours she has already completed.

Maria needs to spend a total of \( 5 \frac{1}{2} \) hours and she has already spent \( 3 \frac{3}{4} \) hours. The remaining hours can be found by subtracting the hours she has already spent from the total required hours.

So, the equation that sets up this relationship is:

\[
5 \frac{1}{2} - 3 \frac{3}{4} = h
\]

Rearranging this gives the equation:

\[
h = 5 \frac{1}{2} - 3 \frac{3}{4}
\]

This can also be expressed in the form needed to determine the remaining hours as:

\[
h - 3 \frac{3}{4} = 5 \frac{1}{2}
\]

Thus, the correct response is:

**h - 3 3/4 = 5 1/2**
(h minus 3 and three-fourths equals 5 and one-half)