Final answer:
It takes 160 cans to make 5 pounds of aluminum.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine how many cans it takes to make 5 pounds of aluminum, we can use the given information that 8 empty cans can make 1/4 pound of aluminum. To solve this problem, we can set up a proportion:
8 cans / 1/4 lb = x cans / 5 lb
Cross multiplying, we get:
8 * 5 = 1/4 * x
Simplifying, we have:
40 = 1/4 * x
Multiplying both sides by 4 to get rid of the fraction, we get:
160 = x
Therefore, it takes 160 cans to make 5 pounds of aluminum.