Final answer:
After evaluating the inequality 9c + 12p ≤ 48 with c = 3, we find that Arlene can purchase a maximum of 1 pie after buying 3 cakes with her $48 budget.
Step-by-step explanation:
The inequality representing Arlene's budget when buying cakes costing $9 each and pies costing $12 each with a budget of $48 is 9c + 12p ≤ 48. To determine if Arlene can purchase 3 cakes, we substitute c = 3 into the inequality:
- 9(3) + 12p ≤ 48 which simplifies to
- 27 + 12p ≤ 48, and then by subtracting 27 from both sides we get
- 12p ≤ 21. To find the maximum value of p that satisfies this inequality, we divide both sides by 12, resulting in
- p ≤ 21/12 which simplifies to
- p ≤ 1.75
Since Arlene cannot purchase fractional pies, the maximum number of pies she can buy after purchasing 3 cakes is 1 pie.