1. The problem asks for the speed of an earthworm that wriggles 27 inches in 9 minutes. 2. Speed is calculated using the formula: $$\text{Speed} = \frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Time}}$$ 3. Here, the distance is 27 inches and the time is 9 minutes. 4. Substitute the values into the formula: $$\text{Speed} = \frac{27 \text{ inches}}{9 \text{ minutes}}$$ 5. Simplify the fraction: $$\text{Speed} = \frac{\cancel{27}^3}{\cancel{9}^1} = 3 \text{ inches per minute}$$ 6. Therefore, the earthworm's speed is 3 inches per minute.