Answer:
(a)
Since each bottle holds 17 fluid ounces, then if b is the number of bottles of water and w is the total volume of water in fluid ounces we can set the following equation:
![w=17b\text{.}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/3l13n2zxgn3op3palycrw73s4is1dg5y3j.png)
(b)
Now, if b=51,
![w=17*51=867.](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/3nhu5j1y571msldoszwmc7gslsgc3t6kkt.png)
Therefore, in 51 bottles there are 867 fluid ounces.
(c)
If w=51, solving for b we get:
![\begin{gathered} 51=17b, \\ (51)/(17)=b, \\ b=3. \end{gathered}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/hm05x4yvdmzqr3f8g16h6wq38je700zbrv.png)
Therefore, it would take 3 bottles to hold 51 fluid ounces.