Matea recorded that water levels in one part of the river fell 1.05 millimeters per year for 2.48 years. Describe how you could estimate the total variation in water level.

Answer 1

To estimate the total variation in water level based on Matea's recorded data, you can follow these steps:

1. Determine the annual change: Matea recorded that the water level fell by 1.05 millimeters per year. This is the rate of change in the water level.

2. Multiply by the duration: To find the total change over the period of 2.48 years, multiply the annual change by the number of years: $$\text{Total variation}=\text{Annual change}\times \text{Number of years}=1.05,\text{mm/year}\times 2.48,\text{years}.$$

3. Calculate the total variation: $$\text{Total variation}=1.05\times 2.48\approx 2.604,\text{mm}.$$

Thus, the total estimated variation in water level over the 2.48 years is approximately 2.604 millimeters.

Summary:

1. Use the annual decrease (1.05 mm/year).
2. Multiply by the time period (2.48 years).
3. The estimated total variation in water level is approximately 2.604 mm.