Question

A snowstorm took place during the weekend. Meteorologists tracked the total amount of snowfall for the storm. For the first 2 hours, it snowed at a rate of 1 inch per hour. The snow stopped for an hour and a half, then resumed at a rate of 1.5 inches per hour for the next 3 hours. Based on this information, what scale would work best for representing the data on the y-axis?(1 point)
Responses

3
3

2
2

0.5
0.5

5

Answer 1

To determine the best scale for representing the total snowfall on the y-axis, let's first calculate the total snowfall from the storm.

1. **First 2 hours:**
- Snowfall rate = 1 inch per hour
- Total snowfall for this period = 2 hours × 1 inch/hour = 2 inches

2. **Next 1.5 hours:**
- There was no snowfall, so total snowfall = 0 inches during this period.

3. **Last 3 hours:**
- Snowfall rate = 1.5 inches per hour
- Total snowfall for this period = 3 hours × 1.5 inches/hour = 4.5 inches

Now, we can sum all the snowfall:
- Total snowfall = 2 inches (first period) + 0 inches (second period) + 4.5 inches (third period) = 6.5 inches

Considering this total, you need to choose a scale that can appropriately cover the range of 0 to slightly above 6.5 inches. Among the options provided:

- 3 would not be sufficient, as it is below the total snowfall.
- 2 would also be insufficient.
- 0.5 could work, but would create a lot of increments to reach 6.5 inches.
- 5 is still below 6.5 inches, and since it's not enough, it's also not a good option.

Therefore, while none of the options directly provide an ideal scale for this dataset, if the values must be chosen from those listed, I'd suggest using **0.5** for greater granularity, since you could still graph the total snowfall of 6.5 inches, albeit with increments required to demonstrate the amount properly.

**Final Answer: 0.5**