To find the water level at the end of summer, you need to combine the two measurements of how far below sea level the river is.
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The initial water level is at \( 1 \frac{1}{2} \) meters below sea level. Converting this to an improper fraction: \[ 1 \frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{2} \text{ meters below sea level.} \]
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During the summer, the water level drops another \( 2 \frac{1}{3} \) meters below sea level. Converting this to an improper fraction: \[ 2 \frac{1}{3} = \frac{7}{3} \text{ meters below sea level.} \]
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Now, to find the total drop below sea level, we add the two values: \[ \frac{3}{2} + \frac{7}{3}. \]
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To add these fractions, we need a common denominator. The least common multiple of 2 and 3 is 6.
Convert \( \frac{3}{2} \) to sixths: \[ \frac{3}{2} = \frac{3 \times 3}{2 \times 3} = \frac{9}{6}. \]
Convert \( \frac{7}{3} \) to sixths: \[ \frac{7}{3} = \frac{7 \times 2}{3 \times 2} = \frac{14}{6}. \]
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Now add the two fractions: \[ \frac{9}{6} + \frac{14}{6} = \frac{23}{6}. \]
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The water level at the end of summer is now \( \frac{23}{6} \) meters below sea level. To express this as a mixed number: \[ \frac{23}{6} = 3 \frac{5}{6}. \]
Therefore, the water level at the end of summer is \( 3 \frac{5}{6} \) meters below sea level.
In answer form: The water level is 3.8333 meters from sea level, or specifically \( 3 \frac{5}{6} \) meters below sea level.