A geyser is an underground hot spring that shoots water and steam into the air. At Yellowstone National Park there is a geyser that erupts once at every 44 to 125 minutes. If the geyser erupted one day at 1:04 pm, at which time could the geyser erupt next?
A. 1:44 pm
B. 3:29 pm
C. 3:05 pm
D. 1:25 pm
125 min = 2 hr + 5 min
1:04 + 2 hours = 3:04
so 1:04 +2hr and 5 min is 3:09
so 3:05 is in the window
To determine the next possible eruption time, we need to calculate the time interval between consecutive eruptions and add it to the previous eruption time.
Given that the geyser erupts once every 44 to 125 minutes, we can say that the next eruption time will fall between 1:04 pm + 44 minutes and 1:04 pm + 125 minutes.
Calculating the range:
1:04 pm + 44 minutes = 1:48 pm
1:04 pm + 125 minutes = 2:09 pm
Therefore, the next eruption time could be between 1:48 pm and 2:09 pm.
Among the given options:
A. 1:44 pm is within the range of possible eruption times.
B. 3:29 pm is beyond the range of possible eruption times.
C. 3:05 pm is beyond the range of possible eruption times.
D. 1:25 pm is before the previous eruption time.
So, the correct option is A. 1:44 pm.
To determine the time when the geyser could erupt next, we need to find the time interval between eruptions and then calculate the next eruption time based on the given starting time. In this case, the time interval between eruptions is between 44 and 125 minutes.
Starting with 1:04 pm, we can add the minimum time interval of 44 minutes to find the earliest possible next eruption time.
1:04 pm + 44 minutes = 1:48 pm
Similarly, we can add the maximum time interval of 125 minutes to find the latest possible next eruption time.
1:04 pm + 125 minutes = 2:09 pm
Therefore, the geyser could erupt next between 1:48 pm and 2:09 pm.
Among the given answer choices:
A. 1:44 pm falls within the possible range of eruption times (1:48 pm - 2:09 pm).
B. 3:29 pm is outside the possible range of eruption times.
C. 3:05 pm is outside the possible range of eruption times.
D. 1:25 pm is before the possible range of eruption times.
Thus, the only possible answer is
A. 1:44 pm