The O’Toole’s leave their house in Canada to vacation in Mexico for a week over winter break. In their
absence, their house receives an average of 8 inches of snow per day each day during the seven-day
period. However, the average air temperature rises above 32 degrees Fahrenheit for a few hours each day
causing .25" of snow to melt by the end of each day. By the end of the seven days, the height of the snow
accumulation on the ground has been reduced by 20% due to compaction. Which method should be used
to correctly calculate the height of the snow buildup in the Hill’s yard that they find when they return from
vacation?
7 * 8 = 56 inches
7 * 0.25 = 1.75
56 - 1.75 = 54.25
54.25 * 0.8 = ?
Thank you
To correctly calculate the height of the snow buildup in the Hill's yard when they return from vacation, you can use the following method:
1. Calculate the total snowfall over the seven-day period:
- The average daily snowfall is 8 inches per day.
- Multiply the average daily snowfall by 7 to get the total snowfall: 8 inches/day * 7 days = 56 inches.
2. Calculate the amount of snow that will melt due to the increase in air temperature:
- The average daily melt is 0.25 inches per day.
- Multiply the average daily melt by 7 to get the total melt: 0.25 inches/day * 7 days = 1.75 inches.
3. Subtract the total melt from the total snowfall to get the remaining snow buildup before compaction: 56 inches - 1.75 inches = 54.25 inches.
4. Calculate the snow buildup after compaction:
- The snow buildup is reduced by 20% due to compaction.
- Multiply the remaining snow buildup by 0.8 (100% - 20%) to account for the reduction: 54.25 inches * 0.8 = 43.4 inches.
Therefore, the height of the snow buildup in the Hill's yard when they return from vacation is approximately 43.4 inches.