To determine the total cost [tex]\( c \)[/tex] of buying [tex]\( n \)[/tex] pumpkins, each costing [tex]$3, we need to set up an equation that correctly represents this situation.
Firstly, let's think about the relationship between the number of pumpkins and the total cost:
- Each pumpkin costs $[/tex]3.
- If Ksenya buys 1 pumpkin, the total cost is [tex]\( 1 \times 3 = 3 \)[/tex] dollars.
- If she buys 2 pumpkins, the total cost is [tex]\( 2 \times 3 = 6 \)[/tex] dollars, and so on.
Now, generalizing this for any number of pumpkins [tex]\( n \)[/tex]:
- The total cost [tex]\( c \)[/tex] is [tex]\( 3 \)[/tex] dollars per pumpkin multiplied by the number of pumpkins [tex]\( n \)[/tex].
So, the equation that represents this situation is:
[tex]\[ c = 3n \][/tex]
Let's review the provided options to identify the correct one:
A. [tex]\( n = 3 + c \)[/tex]
- This suggests the number of pumpkins is the total cost plus 3, which does not make sense for this problem.
B. [tex]\( c = n \div 3 \)[/tex]
- This suggests the total cost is the number of pumpkins divided by 3, which is incorrect.
C. [tex]\( c = 3n \)[/tex]
- This correctly represents that the total cost [tex]\( c \)[/tex] is 3 dollars per pumpkin multiplied by the number of pumpkins [tex]\( n \)[/tex].
D. [tex]\( n = 3c \)[/tex]
- This suggests the number of pumpkins is 3 times the total cost, which is incorrect.
Thus, the correct equation is:
[tex]\[ c = 3n \][/tex]
Therefore, the answer is option C.
