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)

Question

Responses

5
5

3
3

2
2

0.5

Answer 1

To determine the best scale for representing the total snowfall on the y-axis based on the given information, we first need to calculate the total snowfall from the storm.

1. For the first 2 hours, it snowed at a rate of 1 inch per hour:

   • Total snowfall = 2 hours * 1 inch/hour = 2 inches.

2. Then it stopped for 1.5 hours (which does not add to the total).

3. After that, it resumed for 3 hours at a rate of 1.5 inches per hour:

   • Total snowfall = 3 hours * 1.5 inches/hour = 4.5 inches.

Now, we add the two amounts of snowfall together:

• Total snowfall = 2 inches + 4.5 inches = 6.5 inches.

Considering the options provided for the scale (5, 3, 2, 0.5), we want to choose a scale that can effectively represent the maximum snowfall of 6.5 inches.

Given that the highest rate is 6.5 inches, the 5-inch scale will not adequately cover this, as it would only reach up to 5 inches. The 3-inch and 2-inch scales are also inadequate. The 0.5-inch scale would allow for a more detailed representation, but it would still not adequately convey a maximum of 6.5 inches.

If a scale must be selected from these choices, while none fit perfectly, the 5-inch scale would be the most reasonable choice, recognizing that it’s slightly below the total amount but would at least show up to that point clearly.

Therefore, the best scale from the options provided is:

5.