1. **Problem statement:** We need to find how long the temperature held steady based on the graph of temperature over time. 2. **Understanding the graph:** The temperature rises, stays steady, and then falls. The steady temperature period corresponds to the flat (horizontal) segment of the graph where temperature does not change over time. 3. **Analyzing the time intervals:** From the graph, the temperature is steady between 12 pm (Noon) and 6 pm. 4. **Calculating the duration:** The time from 12 pm to 6 pm is $$6\text{ hours}$$. 5. **Answer:** The temperature held steady for 6 hours.