Question

PLEASE HELP! The table shows the number of cans of soup shipped in different numbers of boxes.

Number of Boxes 2 4 9
Number of Cans of Soup 96 192 432


Which equation expresses the relationship between the number of boxes, b, and the number of cans, c?

Possible answers (try to explain how you got it):

c=b48
c = 48 + b
c = 48b
b = 48c

Answer 1

c = 48b_96 = 48(2)_96 = 96

so c=48b

Answer 2

The equation that expresses the relationship between the number of boxes, b and the number or cans, c would be c = 48b. This is because the number or cans shipped would be the dependent variable to the problem as it is dependent on the number or boxes that ship along with. So if one ships 2 boxes then the number of cans that would be shipped would need to match the final output of cans which is 96, and using the equation, c = 49b it does.

c = 48b
96 = 48(2)
96 = 96.

Technically the first option will also be correct but usually the variable in an algebraic expression comes after the coefficient.