Question

Over a 20 year period, a certain city recorded a total rainfall of 621 inches. the rainfall during this past year was 28 inches. if the variable "r" stands for the total amount of rain for the other 19 years, which of would be a reasonable value for this variable?

Answer 1

The reasonable value for the variable r is 593.

Explanation:

Here variable r represents the total amount of rain for the other 19 years,

⇒ The total rain in 20 years = r + rain in this year

Given,

Rain in this year = 28 inches,

⇒ Total rain in 20 years = ( r + 28 ) inches

According to the question,

Total rain in 20 years = 621 inches,

r + 28 = 621

Subtracting 28 on both sides,

We get,

r = 621 - 28 = 593 inches,

Hence, the reasonable value for the variable r is 593.

Answer 2

Strangely worded question, but the answer should be 593 inches cubed*. Via simple arithmetic:

r = 621 - 28 = 593 inches cubed

*Note that total rainfall cannot be measured in inches (so I assume you mean inches cubed).