To determine which statement is best represented by the inequality [tex]\( f < -15 \)[/tex], let's carefully analyze each given option.
1. Today's temperature was less than [tex]\(-15^{\circ}\)[/tex] Fahrenheit.
- This statement directly implies that today's temperature is a number that is smaller than [tex]\(-15\)[/tex]. Since the inequality [tex]\( f < -15 \)[/tex] signifies temperatures that are below [tex]\(-15\)[/tex], this statement is correct.
2. Today's temperature was greater than [tex]\(-15^{\circ}\)[/tex] Fahrenheit.
- This statement indicates that today's temperature is a number higher than [tex]\(-15\)[/tex]. The inequality [tex]\( f < -15 \)[/tex] does not support this, as [tex]\( f < -15 \)[/tex] means the temperature is below [tex]\(-15\)[/tex], not above.
3. Today's temperature was [tex]\(-15^{\circ}\)[/tex] Fahrenheit.
- This statement suggests that the exact temperature is [tex]\(-15\)[/tex] degrees Fahrenheit. The inequality [tex]\( f < -15 \)[/tex] does not represent equality but rather values strictly less than [tex]\(-15\)[/tex].
4. Today's temperature was higher than [tex]\(-15^{\circ}\)[/tex] Fahrenheit.
- Similar to the second statement, this suggests today's temperature is above [tex]\(-15\)[/tex]. The inequality [tex]\( f < -15 \)[/tex] signifies temperatures lower than [tex]\(-15\)[/tex], making this statement incorrect.
Given these analyses, the best statement represented by the inequality [tex]\( f < -15 \)[/tex] is:
Today's temperature was less than [tex]\(-15^{\circ}\)[/tex] Fahrenheit.
Thus, the correct answer is:
Today's temperature was less than [tex]\(-15^{\circ}\)[/tex] Fahrenheit.
