Question

Write an equation to represent the situation and solve. As winter approached in Alaska, the temperature dropped each day for 19 consecutive days. The total decrease in temperature was $57^{\circ} \mathrm{F}\(, represented by \)-57 .$ What was the average drop in temperature per day?

Short answer

Answer: The average temperature drop per day was -3°F.

Step-by-step solution

Write the given information as an equation.

We can write an equation for the average daily temperature drop, where the total temperature decrease is divided by the number of days: Total drop in temperature = \(-57^{\circ}\mathrm{F}\), Number of days = 19, So, Average temperature drop per day = \(\frac{Total\: drop\: in\: temperature}{Number\: of\: days}\).

Substitute the given values and solve for average temperature drop per day.

We can replace the values for the total temperature drop and number of days in the equation: Average temperature drop per day = \(\frac{-57}{19}\). Regular division yields: Average temperature drop per day = \(-3\). The average drop in temperature was \(-3^{\circ}\mathrm{F}\) per day.