Question

In science class, a student is measuring the temperature of a solution in science experiment. The solution

started at -3.4 degrees. After two minutes the temperature had increased 12.4 degrees. After a few more
minutes, the temperature decreased 20.4 degrees. After one more minute the temperature increased by
3.2 degrees. What is the final temperature?

Answer 1

-11.8

Explanation:

Given:

-3.4 to 12.4 increased (difference = 15.8)

12.4 to 20.4 decreased (difference = 8)

20.4 to 3.2 increased (difference = 17.2)

To find:

Final temperature.

Solution:

As we noticed, this is a pattern of increase, decrease, increase... (and so on and so forth). From this alone, we have gotten the clue that the temperature is going to decrease. But here is the thing, How far will it decrease?

Use the difference of the starting result to find the ending result.

3.2 - 15

= -11.8

Therefore, the final temperature is -11.8.