The water level of a river is below normal levels. Its water level is at 1 1/2 meters below sea level. During the summer, the river drops another 2 1/3 meters below sea level. What is the water level at the end of summer? Remember, the elevation is below sea level. Account for this in your answer.(1 point) The water level is meters below sea level.

1 answer

To find the water level of the river at the end of summer, we need to add the two drops in water level.

  1. The initial water level is 1 1/2 meters below sea level, which can be expressed as: \[ 1 \frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{2} \text{ meters below sea level} \]

  2. During the summer, the river drops another 2 1/3 meters below sea level, which can be expressed as: \[ 2 \frac{1}{3} = \frac{7}{3} \text{ meters below sea level} \]

Now, we need to add these two values to find the total drop below sea level: \[ \frac{3}{2} + \frac{7}{3} \]

To add these fractions, we first need a common denominator. The least common multiple of 2 and 3 is 6.

Converting both fractions to have the same denominator: \[ \frac{3}{2} = \frac{3 \times 3}{2 \times 3} = \frac{9}{6} \] \[ \frac{7}{3} = \frac{7 \times 2}{3 \times 2} = \frac{14}{6} \]

Now, add the two fractions: \[ \frac{9}{6} + \frac{14}{6} = \frac{9 + 14}{6} = \frac{23}{6} \]

Thus, the total water level at the end of summer is: \[ \frac{23}{6} \text{ meters below sea level} \]

To express this as a mixed number, we perform the division: \[ 23 \div 6 = 3 \text{ R } 5 \] So, \(\frac{23}{6} = 3 \frac{5}{6}\).

Therefore, the final water level at the end of summer is: \[ \text{The water level is } 3 \frac{5}{6} \text{ meters below sea level.} \]

For the answer format requested: \[ \text{The water level is } 3.8333 \text{ meters below sea level (or as a fraction } 3 \frac{5}{6} \text{).} \]

So, the water level is \(3 \frac{5}{6} \text{ meters below sea level or } 3.8333 \text{ meters below sea level.}\)