Karin is also in Mr. Whittaker’s science class, and she recorded the variation in water level at a different part of the river. Karin observed that the water level there fell 1.68 millimeters per year for 1.5 years. Which expression shows a way to use the distributive property to solve for the total variation in water level at this part of the river?
Answer
A
1.5(-1) + 0.68
B
1 + (0.5)(-1)(0.68)
C
(-1.68)(1) + (-1.68)(0.5)
D
1(-1) + 0.5(-0.68)
Explanation
A fall of 1.68 millimeters per year is a rate of −1.68 millimeters per year. Over 1.5 years, the total variation is (−1.68)(1.5). Since 1.5 = 1 + 0.5, the distributive property gives (−1.68)(1) + (−1.68)(0.5), which is choice C.
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