Question

New Orleans averages 79% humidity in the mornings, but it decreases by 15% in the afternoon. What is the average relative humidity in the afternoon in New Orleans? (enter a percent rounded to the tenths place)

Answer 1

We have an average humidity of 79%.

It drops by 15% in the afternoon.

We consider that it decreases 15% of the original humidity of 79%. We don't substract the percentages directly.

We start by expressing both percentages as decimals: 79% will be 0.79 and 15% will be 0.15.

Then, we can calculate the humidity in the afternoon as:

$\begin{gathered} H_a=(1-0.15)H_{av} \\ H_a=0.85*H_{av} \\ H_a=0.85*0.79 \\ H_a=0.6715 \\ H_a=67.2\% \end{gathered}$

Answer: the humidity in the afternoon is 67.2%.