SOLUTION: A caterer estimates that 2 gallons of fruit punch will serve 5 people. How much additional punch is necessary to serve 75 people? Set up an equation to solve the word problem and g

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Question 1134239: A caterer estimates that 2 gallons of fruit punch will serve 5 people. How much additional punch is necessary to serve 75 people? Set up an equation to solve the word problem and give necessary steps to solve.
Answer by Theo(13342) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
you have a ratio.

that ratio is 2/5 = x/75

cross multiply to get 2*75 = 5*x

solve for x to get x = 2*75/5 = 2*15 = 30

2 gallons will serve 5 people.
30 gallons will serve 75 people.

if 2 gallons serve 5 people, then the number of people served per gallon is 5/2 = 2.5.

if 30 gallons serve 75 people, then the number of people served per gallon is 75/30 = 2.5.

the question is how much additional punch is required to serve 75 people.

if 2 gallons serves 5 and 30 gallons serves 75, then an additional (30 - 2 = 28 gallons is required to serve 75.