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

5
5
2
2
0.5
0.5
3

Answer 1

To determine the best scale for the y-axis to represent the total snowfall from the snowstorm, we need to first calculate the total amount of snowfall:

1. **First 2 hours**: It snowed at a rate of 1 inch per hour.
- Total snowfall = \(2 \, \text{hours} \times 1 \, \text{inch/hour} = 2 \, \text{inches}\)

2. **1.5 hours stop**: No snowfall.

3. **Next 3 hours**: It snowed at a rate of 1.5 inches per hour.
- Total snowfall = \(3 \, \text{hours} \times 1.5 \, \text{inches/hour} = 4.5 \, \text{inches}\)

4. **Total snowfall**:
- \(2 \, \text{inches} + 4.5 \, \text{inches} = 6.5 \, \text{inches}\)

Given that the total snowfall is 6.5 inches, the best scale for representing this on the y-axis would accommodate values up to at least 6.5 inches.

Among the provided options:
- **0.5** (too small)
- **2** (too small)
- **3** (too small)
- **5** (too small)

The **best choice would be to select a scale that can suitably represent values at least as high as 6.5 inches. Since none of the options directly provide a suitable scale, the closest higher scale might be inferred as continuing upwards beyond the existing choices.**

However, if these are indeed the only options and we're forced to choose one of them, **the best answer would be 5**, as it's the highest value listed. This would allow for representation of values up to 5 inches, but we should note it's insufficient for our total snowfall of 6.5 inches. Ideally, a higher scale would be required for complete representation.