Which inequality best models the situation if variable t is the temperature in degrees Celsius? A severe weather warning is issued when temperatures fall below –18.5°C. Show the possible temperatures when the alert is issued. A. t –18.5 and t must be a positive number.

Question

Which inequality best models the situation if variable t is the temperature in degrees Celsius? A severe weather warning is issued when temperatures fall below –18.5°C. Show the possible temperatures when the alert is issued. A. t < –18.5 and t may be a negative number. B. t < –18.5 and t must be a positive number. C. t > –18.5 and t may be a negative number. D. t > –18.5 and t must be a positive number.

anonymous · Answer

if the temperature falls below -18.5 °C, that means it must have gone deeper into the negative, e.g. -20.0 °C.

The magnitude of the number is actually greater, but because it is a negative number, that makes it more negative and therefore "smaller" for a greater/lesser than symbol.