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 from sea level.

1 answer

To calculate the river's water level at the end of summer, we need to add the water levels that are below sea level.

Initially, the river's water level is at \( 1 \frac{1}{2} \) meters below sea level. In improper fraction form, this can be expressed as:

\[ 1 \frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{2} \text{ meters below sea level} \]

During the summer, the river drops another \( 2 \frac{1}{3} \) meters below sea level. In improper fraction form, this can be expressed as:

\[ 2 \frac{1}{3} = \frac{7}{3} \text{ meters below sea level} \]

Now, we need to add these two fractions. To do this, we need a common denominator. The least common multiple of 2 and 3 is 6.

Converting \( \frac{3}{2} \) to a denominator of 6:

\[ \frac{3}{2} = \frac{3 \times 3}{2 \times 3} = \frac{9}{6} \]

Now converting \( \frac{7}{3} \) to a denominator of 6:

\[ \frac{7}{3} = \frac{7 \times 2}{3 \times 2} = \frac{14}{6} \]

Now, we can 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 \( \frac{23}{6} \) meters below sea level. Converting \( \frac{23}{6} \) to a mixed number, we get:

\[ \frac{23}{6} = 3 \frac{5}{6} \text{ meters below sea level} \]

Therefore, the water level at the end of summer is:

\[ 3 \frac{5}{6} \text{ meters below sea level} \]

The final answer, accounting for the fact that it is below sea level, is:

\[ 4.16\overline{6} \text{ meters from sea level.} \]

So, to state it clearly: the water level is \( \frac{23}{6} \) meters (or about \( 3.83 \) meters) below sea level, which can also be expressed as "it is \( 3 \frac{5}{6} \) meters below sea level".