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AlgebraEasy–MediumTime for a steadily rising temperature to reach a value

Algebra practice question

At 6 a.m. the temperature was −4°C, and it rose at a steady 1.5°C per hour. How many hours after 6 a.m. did the temperature reach 5°C?

Answer: 6

−4 + 1.5h = 5 → 1.5h = 9 → h = 6.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 9
9 is the rise in degrees, not the hours.
If you answered 3.33
3.33 comes from 1.5h = 5, ignoring the starting temperature of −4.
If you answered 0.67
0.67 comes from 1.5h = 1, subtracting 4 instead of adding it.

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