Two lemons cost 15 cents how many for .60
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Answer:
If two lemons cost 15 cents, then 8 lemons will cost 60 cents.
Explanation
To find out how many lemons you can buy for 60 cents, we start by understanding the given price ratio. The problem tells us that 2 lemons cost 15 cents. This allows us to find the cost of one lemon first.
- Find the cost of one lemon:
Cost of 1 lemon=15 cents2=7.5 cents\text{Cost of 1 lemon} = \frac{15 \text{ cents}}{2} = 7.5 \text{ cents}Cost of 1 lemon=215 cents=7.5 cents
Now we know that each lemon costs 7.5 cents.
- Determine how many lemons cost 60 cents:
We divide the total amount (60 cents) by the cost of one lemon: 60 cents7.5 cents/lemon=8 lemons\frac{60 \text{ cents}}{7.5 \text{ cents/lemon}} = 8 \text{ lemons}7.5 cents/lemon60 cents=8 lemons
So, for 60 cents, you can buy 8 lemons.
Let’s verify this:
- Since each lemon costs 7.5 cents, 8 lemons would cost:
8×7.5=60 cents8 \times 7.5 = 60 \text{ cents}8×7.5=60 cents
This confirms our answer.
Why the math works:
This problem is based on unit rate and proportional reasoning—a foundational concept in arithmetic and early algebra. Once we know the cost of a fixed quantity (2 lemons), we can find the cost of 1 unit (1 lemon) and scale up or down using multiplication or division. This type of proportional thinking is common in shopping, budgeting, and many real-life applications.
Additionally, this problem also reinforces the idea that you can work flexibly with fractions or decimals (e.g., 7.5 cents = 7 ½ cents) to solve real-world problems. Understanding unit prices allows better decision-making when comparing products or calculating total cost.
