Due to excessive heat, the water level in a dam decreased by 8.8 meters last month. Now, the water level is 95.3 meters. Which equation represents the water level, w

, of the dam last month? What was the water level last month?(1 point)
Responses

w + 8.8 = 95.3
; the water level of the dam last month was 86.5 meters.
w plus 8.8 equals 95.3 ; the water level of the dam last month was 86.5 meters.

w − 95.3 = 8.8
; the water level of the dam last month was 86.5 meters.
w minus 95.3 equals 8.8 ; the water level of the dam last month was 86.5 meters.

w − 8.8 = 95.3
; the water level of the dam last month was 104.1 meters.
w minus 8.8 equals 95.3 ; the water level of the dam last month was 104.1 meters.

w + 95.3 = 8.8
; the water level of the dam last month was 104.1 meters.

1 answer

To find the water level of the dam last month, we need to set up the correct equation using the information given:

  1. The water level decreased by 8.8 meters last month.
  2. The current water level is 95.3 meters.

Let's denote the water level last month as \( w \). According to the information provided:

\[ w - 8.8 = 95.3 \]

This shows that if we take the water level last month ( \( w \) ), and subtract the decrease (8.8 meters), we arrive at the current water level (95.3 meters).

Rearranging this equation will help us find last month's water level:

\[ w = 95.3 + 8.8 \] \[ w = 104.1 \]

So, the equation that represents the water level of the dam last month is:

\( w - 8.8 = 95.3 \)

And the water level of the dam last month was 104.1 meters.

Therefore, the correct response is:

w − 8.8 = 95.3; the water level of the dam last month was 104.1 meters.