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 both negative values together since both measurements are below sea level.

  1. The river's initial water level is \( 1 \frac{1}{2} \) meters below sea level, which can be converted to an improper fraction: \[ 1 \frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{2} \text{ meters} \]

  2. The additional drop during summer is \( 2 \frac{1}{3} \) meters below sea level, which can also be converted to an improper fraction: \[ 2 \frac{1}{3} = \frac{7}{3} \text{ meters} \]

  3. Now, we will calculate the total drop in water level: \[ \text{Total drop} = \frac{3}{2} + \frac{7}{3} \]

  4. To add these fractions, we need a common denominator. The least common multiple of 2 and 3 is 6. We can convert each fraction: \[ \frac{3}{2} = \frac{3 \times 3}{2 \times 3} = \frac{9}{6} \] \[ \frac{7}{3} = \frac{7 \times 2}{3 \times 2} = \frac{14}{6} \]

  5. Now we can add the two fractions: \[ \frac{9}{6} + \frac{14}{6} = \frac{9 + 14}{6} = \frac{23}{6} \]

  6. Since the water level is below sea level, we denote it as: \[ \frac{23}{6} \text{ meters below sea level} \]

  7. To convert \(\frac{23}{6}\) to a mixed number:

    • \(23 \div 6 = 3\) remainder 5, which means: \[ \frac{23}{6} = 3 \frac{5}{6} \]

Thus, at the end of summer, the water level of the river is \( \frac{23}{6} \) or \( 3 \frac{5}{6} \) meters below sea level.

So the final answer is: The water level is \( 3 \frac{5}{6} \) meters below sea level.