Total a supplied rain record
Total a supplied rain record using supplied evidence and a solved model.
About 18 minutes, plus any extended practice
Supplied materials
- All measurements and observations below are supplied classroom examples. They are not data from actual learners or a claim about a particular real site.
- Paper or browser document; an ordinary calculator is optional.
- Rule: Rainfall total equals the sum of three daily readings. Formula: a+b+c. Variable key: a = day 1 rainfall (mm), b = day 2 rainfall (mm), c = day 3 rainfall (mm)
- Distinct worked inputs and result: A distinct record is 1 mm, 2 mm and 4 mm: 1+2+4=7 mm.
- Assessment case 1: Supplied case 1: day 1 rainfall (mm)=2; day 2 rainfall (mm)=3; day 3 rainfall (mm)=1, using the explicitly named quantities. Rainfall total equals the sum of three daily readings. What result follows?
- Assessment case 2: Supplied case 2: day 1 rainfall (mm)=4; day 2 rainfall (mm)=0; day 3 rainfall (mm)=2, using the explicitly named quantities. Rainfall total equals the sum of three daily readings. What result follows?
- Assessment case 3: Supplied case 3: day 1 rainfall (mm)=1; day 2 rainfall (mm)=5; day 3 rainfall (mm)=3, using the explicitly named quantities. Rainfall total equals the sum of three daily readings. What result follows?
- Assessment case 4: Supplied case 4: day 1 rainfall (mm)=0; day 2 rainfall (mm)=2; day 3 rainfall (mm)=4, using the explicitly named quantities. Rainfall total equals the sum of three daily readings. What result follows?
- Assessment case 5: Supplied case 5: day 1 rainfall (mm)=3; day 2 rainfall (mm)=3; day 3 rainfall (mm)=2, using the explicitly named quantities. Rainfall total equals the sum of three daily readings. What result follows?
- Assessment case 6: Supplied case 6: day 1 rainfall (mm)=6; day 2 rainfall (mm)=1; day 3 rainfall (mm)=1, using the explicitly named quantities. Rainfall total equals the sum of three daily readings. What result follows?
Learn the idea
Add precipitation amounts measured in the same unit. A zero means none was measured for that interval, not that every nearby place was dry.
Rainfall total equals the sum of three daily readings. The formula in the supplied model is a+b+c. Variable key: a = day 1 rainfall (mm), b = day 2 rainfall (mm), c = day 3 rainfall (mm). Keep all three days in the total. Do not confuse rainfall depth with volume.
A distinct record is 1 mm, 2 mm and 4 mm: 1+2+4=7 mm. This short record is weather, not a climate normal. Track the quantity and unit before calculating. Explain the meaning of a positive, negative or fractional result when relevant. A numerical answer supports the stated model calculation; broader claims require the additional measurements and assumptions described here.
- Name the measured quantities and their units before substituting values.
- Write the stated rule and use the variable key to match each symbol to its explicitly named quantity.
- Calculate each supplied case separately, keeping intermediate arithmetic and the result unit.
- Explain the result in context and identify the assumption that would invalidate direct use of the rule.
See the method in action
Worked distinct example: A distinct record is 1 mm, 2 mm and 4 mm: 1+2+4=7 mm. Method: identify the quantities in the stated rule, substitute using compatible units, and perform the operations in the correct order. Keep all three days in the total. Do not confuse rainfall depth with volume. Interpret the final unit and keep the model assumption visible; this calculation is not a measurement of a real learner or site.
Check your reasoning
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Helpful tips
- Keep all three days in the total.
- Do not confuse rainfall depth with volume.
See the answer and explanation
6 mm
Substitute the supplied values: (2)+(3)+(1) = 6 mm. Keep all three days in the total. This short record is weather, not a climate normal.
Take it further
Changed-input task: use the same stated model with day 1 rainfall (mm)=3; day 2 rainfall (mm)=3; day 3 rainfall (mm)=1. Expected result: 7 mm. Explain what changes and keep this assumption: This short record is weather, not a climate normal.
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More practice: try new cases
Choose an answer for each problem. Explain your method on paper, then use the feedback to decide what to revisit.
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