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

Question

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

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

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 − 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 86.5 meters.

Answer 1

To find the water level of the dam last month, we need to represent it with an equation based on the information given:

The dam lost 8.8 meters of water last month, and the current water level is 95.3 meters. If we let \( w \) represent the water level of the dam last month, we have the relationship:

\[ w - 8.8 = 95.3 \]

This means that last month's water level is equal to the current level plus the decrease in water level. We can rearrange this equation to solve for \( w \):

\[ w = 95.3 + 8.8 \]

Calculating that gives us:

\[ w = 104.1 \text{ meters} \]

So, the correct equation is:

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