Answer :
Hibernation time: 7 1/2 months = 15/2 months
Weight loss: 64.4 lbs
We can calculate the average weight change per month using the equation:
average_weight_loss = weight_loss / time
We know that:
weight_loss = 64.4 lbs
time = 15/2 months = 7.5 months
Then, using the equation above:
average_weight_loss = 64.4 lbs / 7.5 months
average_weight_loss = 8.5867 lbs/month
To the nearest tenth, the average monthly weight loss of the black bear was 8.6 lbs/month.