In​ Kansas, Derik recorded the following termperature readings in degrees Fahrenheit each morning for eight days in a​ row: negative 13 degrees​, negative 1 degrees​, negative 5 degrees​, 8 degrees​, 15 degrees​, negative 15 degrees​, negative 6 degrees​, negative 17 degrees. What was the average​ temperature

1 answer

To calculate the average temperature over the eight days, you first need to sum all the temperature readings and then divide by the number of readings (which is 8 in this case).

Here are the temperature readings:

  • -13
  • -1
  • -5
  • 8
  • 15
  • -15
  • -6
  • -17

Now, let's sum these values:

\[ \text{Sum} = (-13) + (-1) + (-5) + 8 + 15 + (-15) + (-6) + (-17) \]

Calculating step-by-step:

  1. \( -13 - 1 = -14 \)
  2. \( -14 - 5 = -19 \)
  3. \( -19 + 8 = -11 \)
  4. \( -11 + 15 = 4 \)
  5. \( 4 - 15 = -11 \)
  6. \( -11 - 6 = -17 \)
  7. \( -17 - 17 = -34 \)

Now that we have the total sum as \(-34\), we divide this sum by the number of readings (8):

\[ \text{Average} = \frac{\text{Sum}}{\text{Number of Readings}} = \frac{-34}{8} = -4.25 \]

Thus, the average temperature over the eight days is \(-4.25\) degrees Fahrenheit.