Question

At a grocery store, the price of a watermelon is determined by how many pounds the watermelon weighs. The price of a watermelon that weighs 7.3 pounds is $4.38. ​ Write an equation that can be used to determine the price, p, in dollars, of any watermelon based on the number of pounds, w, the watermelon weighs. Explain the process you used to determine the equation. ​

Answer 1

`p=0.60w`

Explanation:

Let

p ----> the price of a watermelon in dollars

w ---> the weight of a watermelon in pounds

In this problem we have a proportional relationship

Remember that

A relationship between two variables, x, and y, represent a proportional variation if it can be expressed in the form
`y/x=k` or
`y=kx`

In a proportional relationship the constant of proportionality k is equal to the slope m of the line and the line passes through the origin

In this problem

`p=kw`

The value of the constant of proportionality k is the same that the unit rate

Find out the unit rate

Divide the total cost by the total weight

`k=(4.38)/(7.3)=\$0.60\ per\ pound`

substitute in the equation

`p=0.60w`