For an experiment, the temperature of a liquid must stay above 60.5°F. The starting temperature of the liquid is 88.6°F. It is placed in a cooler, which lowers its temperature 2°F each minute.
How many minutes can the liquid can stay in the cooler?
Select from the drop-down menus to correctly complete the statement.
The liquid can stay in the cooler
A. at least 14.05
B. More than 14.05
C. at most 14.05
D. fewer than 14.05
To find out how long the liquid can stay in the cooler, we need to calculate the number of minutes it takes for the temperature of the liquid to drop below 60.5°F.
Starting temperature of the liquid = 88.6°F
Temperature drop per minute in the cooler = 2°F
First, let's subtract the temperature drop per minute from the starting temperature until we reach 60.5°F.
88.6°F - 2°F = 86.6°F
86.6°F - 2°F = 84.6°F
84.6°F - 2°F = 82.6°F
82.6°F - 2°F = 80.6°F
80.6°F - 2°F = 78.6°F
78.6°F - 2°F = 76.6°F
76.6°F - 2°F = 74.6°F
74.6°F - 2°F = 72.6°F
72.6°F - 2°F = 70.6°F
70.6°F - 2°F = 68.6°F
68.6°F - 2°F = 66.6°F
66.6°F - 2°F = 64.6°F
64.6°F - 2°F = 62.6°F
62.6°F - 2°F = 60.6°F
After 14 minutes, the temperature of the liquid reaches 60.6°F, which is below the required temperature of 60.5°F. Therefore, the liquid cannot stay in the cooler for more than 14 minutes.
Hence, the liquid can stay in the cooler for fewer than 14.05 minutes. (D. fewer than 14.05)