To solve this problem, we need to determine which equation correctly represents the relationship between the rainfall today, the total precipitation, and the amount of precipitation before today.
Given:
- Rainfall today = 2.5 inches
- Total precipitation for the month = 7.2 inches
Let's denote the amount of precipitation before today as [tex]\( x \)[/tex].
We know that the total precipitation for the month is the sum of the rainfall today and the precipitation before today. Therefore, the relationship can be expressed using the equation:
[tex]\[ x + \text{rainfall today} = \text{total precipitation} \][/tex]
Substituting the given values:
[tex]\[ x + 2.5 = 7.2 \][/tex]
Hence, the correct equation that can be used to determine the amount of precipitation before today is:
[tex]\[ x + 2.5 = 7.2 \][/tex]
To check this, we can solve the equation for [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ x + 2.5 = 7.2 \][/tex]
Subtracting 2.5 from both sides:
[tex]\[ x = 7.2 - 2.5 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ x = 4.7 \][/tex]
Therefore, the precipitation before today is 4.7 inches, verifying that the correct equation is:
[tex]\[ x + 2.5 = 7.2 \][/tex]
