Question

Mrs. Potts can make 5 dozen ravioli in 1 hour. Write and solve a direct variation equation to find many she can make in 2 1/2 hours.

Answer 1

A direct variation generally has the equation Y=KX 
Because Mrs. Potts makes 5 dozen ravioli in 1 hour, this will be the K value.
(5 dozen/1 hr)
To figure out how many she can make in 2 1/2 hrs. You use 5 dozen/1 hr as the K value and multiply that by 2 1/2 hrs (the X value).
The hrs will cancel out and you will be left with the number of ravioli made in 2 1/2 hrs.