Final answer:
The correct equation that represents the direct variation between the total cost of gasoline and the number of gallons purchased is C = 1.46n.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves finding the equation that represents the direct variation between the total cost of gasoline c, and the number of gallons purchased n. Kathy pays $23.36 for 16 gallons of gasoline. To find the unit price, we divide the total cost by the number of gallons:
$23.36 ÷ 16 gallons = $1.46 per gallon
Since the total cost varies directly with the number of gallons, we can express this as c = $1.46 × n. Thus, option A, C = 1.46n, shows the correct relationship between the total cost of gasoline, c, and the number of gallons purchased, n.