During the production of phone cases, \( 10 \% \) of raw plastic is wasted. If the company needs 5,000 cases, how much plastic should they purchase? \[ \begin{array}{l}4,556 \text { unit of plastic } \\ 3,4446 \text { units of plastic } \\ 5,556 \text { units of plastic. } \\ 2,446 \text { units of plastic }\end{array} \]

To find out how much plastic the company should purchase for 5,000 phone cases while accounting for the 10% waste, we first determine the effective yield from the purchased plastic. If \( x \) is the amount of plastic purchased, only \( 90\% \) of it will be usable, given the \( 10\% \) waste. So, we establish the equation: \[ 0.90x = 5,000 \] Solving for \( x \): \[ x = \frac{5,000}{0.90} \approx 5,555.56 \] Rounding up since it's impractical to purchase a fraction of a unit, the company should purchase approximately 5,556 units of plastic. And voilà! Among the options provided, it's clear that 5,556 units is the correct quantity to ensure the production of 5,000 cases after accounting for the plastic wastage! --- Did you know that plastics only became a commercial product in the early 1900s? With materials like Bakelite, they heralded a revolution in manufacturing, allowing for a wider array of products, from kitchenware to, yes, phone cases! Looking for ways to minimize plastic waste in production? Engaging in methods like re-evaluating the design for efficiency, using advanced recycling techniques, or switching to biodegradable materials not only boosts environmental responsibility but can also enhance brand image and customer loyalty.