Mr. Whittaker’s science class uses tide gauges to measure annual variations in water levels at different parts of a river, and then compares those variations to the average annual trend. Matea recorded that the water level in one part of the river fell 1.05 millimeters per year for 2.48 years. This data will be compared to the average annual trend, which shows the water level rising 1.8 mm/year. Which number represents the rate at which the water level fell? Which number should the rate be multiplied by to find the total variation in water level?