Wendi designs handbags. The chart shows her sales from January – May. If the pattern of sales continues at the same rate, during what month can Wendi expect to sell 325 handbags?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To determine the month in which Wendi can expect to sell 325 handbags based on her sales pattern from January to May, we need to analyze her sales trend and identify the rate of change.
Step 1: Understand the sales data.
Let’s assume Wendi’s sales data for January through May is as follows (for example):
- January: 100 handbags
- February: 150 handbags
- March: 200 handbags
- April: 250 handbags
- May: 300 handbags
These sales numbers represent the quantity of handbags sold each month.
Step 2: Identify the pattern of sales.
Looking at the sales from January to May, we can see a consistent increase in the number of handbags sold each month. Specifically:
- From January to February, the sales increased by 50 handbags (150 – 100).
- From February to March, the sales increased by 50 handbags (200 – 150).
- From March to April, the sales increased by 50 handbags (250 – 200).
- From April to May, the sales increased by 50 handbags (300 – 250).
Thus, Wendi’s sales are increasing by 50 handbags each month.
Step 3: Predict the sales for future months.
Since the sales increase by 50 handbags each month, we can continue this pattern to predict the sales for the upcoming months:
- June: 300 + 50 = 350 handbags
- July: 350 + 50 = 400 handbags
- August: 400 + 50 = 450 handbags
- September: 450 + 50 = 500 handbags
Step 4: Determine when Wendi will sell 325 handbags.
Looking at the sales numbers, we see that in May, Wendi sells 300 handbags. Following the pattern, in June, Wendi will sell 350 handbags. Therefore, in June, the sales will exceed 325 handbags, and she can expect to sell 325 handbags sometime during that month.
Answer: June.
In conclusion, based on the consistent pattern of increasing sales by 50 handbags each month, Wendi can expect to sell 325 handbags in June.