To solve this problem, we should set up a proportion. Let's let the unknown number of pounds of apples we need be represented by the variable x. Our proportion should be:
2 pounds of apples/5 apple pies = x pounds of apples/20 apple pies
Because our units are the same on both sides of the equation, we can eliminate them and keep the numbers only.
2/5 = x/20
Next, we can begin to solve this equation by cross multiplication. To cross-multiply, you multiply the numerator of one fraction by the denominator of the other fraction and set it equal to the product of the other numerator and denominator. This is modeled below:
2 * 20 = 5 * x
To simplify, we begin by performing the multiplication on both sides of the equation.
40 = 5x
Next, we should divide both sides of the equation by 5, so that we can get the variable x alone on the right side of the equation.
x = 8
Therefore, your answer is that you need 8 pounds of apples to make 20 apple pies.
Hope this helps!
