1. Three pounds of potatoes make eight equal-size servings of mashed potatoes. How many pounds of potatoes are in each serving? Represent the situation with a model. Then solve.

To determine how many pounds of potatoes are in each serving, let's follow a step-by-step approach by creating a model and then solving it. ### **1. Representing the Situation with a Model** **Variables:** - Let \( P \) represent the total pounds of potatoes. - Let \( S \) represent the number of servings. - Let \( x \) represent the pounds of potatoes per serving. **Given:** - Total pounds of potatoes (\( P \)) = 3 pounds - Number of servings (\( S \)) = 8 **Model:** The total pounds of potatoes is equal to the number of servings multiplied by the pounds per serving. \[ P = S \times x \] Substituting the known values: \[ 3 \text{ pounds} = 8 \times x \] ### **2. Solving the Model** To find the pounds of potatoes per serving (\( x \)), divide both sides of the equation by the number of servings (\( S = 8 \)): \[ x = \frac{P}{S} = \frac{3 \text{ pounds}}{8} \] \[ x = 0.375 \text{ pounds per serving} \] ### **Conclusion** Each serving of mashed potatoes contains **0.375 pounds** of potatoes. If you prefer this in fractions: \[ 0.375 \text{ pounds} = \frac{3}{8} \text{ pounds} \] So, **each serving has \(\frac{3}{8}\) pounds of potatoes**.