To determine the best scale for representing the total snowfall data on the y-axis, we first need to calculate the total snowfall from the given information:
-
First 2 hours:
- Snowfall rate: 1 inch/hour
- Total snowfall: \( 2 , \text{hours} \times 1 , \text{inch/hour} = 2 , \text{inches} \)
-
Next 1.5 hours:
- Snow stopped, so snowfall during this time: 0 inches
-
Next 3 hours:
- Snowfall rate: 1.5 inches/hour
- Total snowfall: \( 3 , \text{hours} \times 1.5 , \text{inches/hour} = 4.5 , \text{inches} \)
Now, adding up the total snowfall from all the intervals:
- Total snowfall = \( 2 , \text{inches} + 0 , \text{inches} + 4.5 , \text{inches} = 6.5 , \text{inches} \)
Given that the maximum snowfall is 6.5 inches, it would be logical to select a scale that accommodates this total clearly.
Scale Options:
- 2: This scale would only go from 0 to 2, which is insufficient.
- 3: This scale would go from 0 to 3, which also is insufficient.
- 5: This scale would go from 0 to 5, still insufficient for the maximum of 6.5 inches.
- 0.5: This scale would go from 0 in increments of 0.5 inches, which would allow for a more granular representation, going up to higher values but would be broader than necessary.
Given that the maximum snowfall observed is 6.5 inches, while none of the options provide a perfect fit, option 5 would be the most reasonable, as it will allow a simple scale up to 5 inches. If only considering the list provided, the option might be to represent it up to the maximum possible value given.
Thus, the best choice from the provided options would be:
5