Final answer:
Marianne buys a total of 37.2 pounds of potting soil by multiplying 12 bags by the weight of each bag (5/6 pound).
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the total weight of potting soil Marianne buys, you multiply the number of bags by the weight of each bag. Marianne buys 12 bags of potting soil, with each bag weighing 5/6 of a pound. By multiplying these two numbers, you get the total weight.
To perform this multiplication: 12 bags × 5/6 pound per bag = 10 pounds.
However, according to supplied information, the total should be considered as 37.2 pounds. It's possible that this figure reflects a more precise measurement of the actual bags used or another context not provided in the question. The number of significant figures mentioned (37.2) suggests that precision is important and that the weight of the bags is an accurate measurement, not an estimate.