Question

There are already 4.5 inches of snow on the ground. Snow is falling at an average rate of
1.5 inches per hour and is predicted to continue for nine more hours. If the prediction is correct, how many feet of snow will be on the ground when the snow stops after 9 hours

Answer 1

This equation described snow, y, as a function of x, number of hours. 

y = 1.5x + 4.5
Plugging in 9 for x:
y = 1.5(9) + 4.5
y = 13.5 + 4.5
y = 18 

There will be 18 inches, or 1.5 feet of snow