College

The average temperature for a cat is [tex]101.2^{\circ} F[/tex], but it can vary by as much as [tex]1.3^{\circ} F[/tex]. Write an inequality to represent the normal temperature range of a cat, where [tex]t[/tex] represents body temperature.

A. [tex]|t - 1.3| \leq 101.2[/tex]
B. [tex]|t - 1.3| \geq 101.3[/tex]
C. [tex]|t - 101.2| \leq 1.3[/tex]
D. [tex]|t - 101.2| \geq 1.3[/tex]

Answer :

To express that a cat’s temperature is normally within $1.3^\circ F$ of the average temperature $101.2^\circ F$, we write the inequality

$$
|t - 101.2| \leq 1.3.
$$

Here’s how we derive this step-by-step:

1. The average temperature is given as $101.2^\circ F$.
2. The temperature can vary by up to $1.3^\circ F$. This means the absolute difference between the actual temperature $t$ and the average is at most $1.3^\circ F$.
3. In mathematical terms, this is written using the absolute value inequality:

$$
|t - 101.2| \leq 1.3.
$$

Thus, the inequality that represents the normal temperature range is

$$
|t-101.2| \leq 1.3.
$$