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

Question

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 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.
w minus 95.3 equals 8.8 ; 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 86.5 meters.

Answer 1

To determine the water level of the dam last month, we can set up an equation considering the decrease in water level.

Let w represent the water level last month. Since the water level decreased by 8.8 meters to become 95.3 meters, we add the decrease back to the current level to find the original level:

w - 8.8 = 95.3

To solve for w, we add 8.8 to both sides of the equation:

w - 8.8 + 8.8 = 95.3 + 8.8
w = 104.1

Thus, the correct equation and water level last month are:

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