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:
-
First 2 hours: It snowed at a rate of 1 inch per hour.
- Total snowfall = \(2 , \text{hours} \times 1 , \text{inch/hour} = 2 , \text{inches}\)
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1.5 hours stop: No snowfall.
-
Next 3 hours: It snowed at a rate of 1.5 inches per hour.
- Total snowfall = \(3 , \text{hours} \times 1.5 , \text{inches/hour} = 4.5 , \text{inches}\)
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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.