Final answer:
- a. Ray's statement can be disagreed upon because Boston has higher average low temperatures than Columbus in December.
- b. The inequality x > y represents that the average low temperature in Hartford is higher than that in Chicago.
Step-by-step explanation:
a. Ray's statement about Boston and Columbus temperatures can be evaluated by comparing the average low temperatures in December for both cities. According to the chart, the average low temperature in Boston is 29°F, while in Columbus it is 24°F. Therefore, Ray's statement can be disagreed upon because Boston has higher average low temperatures than Columbus in December.
b. To write an inequality to compare the average December temperatures in Hartford and Chicago, we can use the average low temperatures provided in the chart. Let x represent the average low temperature in Hartford and y represent the average low temperature in Chicago. The inequality would be x > y, indicating that the average low temperature in Hartford is higher than that in Chicago.