College

In January 2008, the temperature in parts of Minnesota fell from [tex]$48^{\circ} F$[/tex] to [tex]$-12^{\circ} F$[/tex] over a 24-hour period. What was the average temperature change per hour?

A. [tex]\left(1 \frac{1}{2}\right)^{\circ} F[/tex]

B. [tex]-2.5^{\circ} F[/tex]

C. [tex]-\left(1 \frac{1}{2}\right)^{\circ} F[/tex]

D. [tex]2.5^{\circ} F[/tex]

Answer :

To find the average temperature change per hour, we can follow these steps:

1. Determine the Total Temperature Change:
The temperature dropped from [tex]\( 48^\circ F \)[/tex] to [tex]\( -12^\circ F \)[/tex]. To calculate the total change in temperature, subtract the final temperature from the initial temperature:
[tex]\[
\text{Total Change} = (-12) - (48) = -12 - 48 = -60
\][/tex]
This means the temperature changed by [tex]\(-60^\circ F\)[/tex] in total.

2. Find the Average Temperature Change Per Hour:
The total period over which this change occurred is 24 hours. To find the average change per hour, divide the total temperature change by the number of hours:
[tex]\[
\text{Average Change Per Hour} = \frac{-60}{24} = -2.5
\][/tex]
This results in an average temperature change of [tex]\(-2.5^\circ F\)[/tex] per hour.

Therefore, the average temperature change per hour is [tex]\(-2.5^\circ F\)[/tex]. The correct answer is [tex]\( -2.5^\circ F \)[/tex].