Question

the height of a lake decreases by 20 in over a period of time. the height decreases by 5 in each week. the equation below is written to represent the situation: -20÷(-5)=4 which description best explains the meaning of 4 in the equation? a the new height of the water in the lake is 4 in. b the change in the height of the lake is 4 in. c the time it takes for the lake to decrease in height by 5 in is 4 weeks. d the time it takes for the lake to decrease in height by 20 in is 4 weeks.

Explanation:

The equation \(-20\div(-5) = 4\) is used to find the time it takes for the lake's height to decrease by \(20\) inches when it decreases by \(5\) inches each week. The negative signs represent the decrease in height. When we divide the total decrease (\(20\) inches) by the rate of decrease per week (\(5\) inches per week), we get the number of weeks. So, \(4\) represents the time it takes for the lake to decrease in height by \(20\) inches.

Answer:

D. The time it takes for the lake to decrease in height by \(20\) in is \(4\) weeks.