To calculate the number of bags of dog food needed for 3 months, we need to determine the total amount of dog food required for that period.
First, we need to convert the weekly consumption from kilograms to pounds since the supplier sells bags in pounds.
1 kilogram is approximately 2.205 pounds. So, 3.5 kg is equal to 3.5 * 2.205 = 7.7175 pounds per week.
Now, we need to calculate the total amount of dog food required for 3 months, which is equivalent to 12 weeks:
Total amount of dog food per week: 7.7175 pounds/week * 16 dogs = 123.48 pounds/week.
Total amount of dog food for 12 weeks: 123.48 pounds/week * 12 weeks = 1481.76 pounds.
Next, we need to calculate the number of bags required. We know that 1 bag contains 25 pounds.
Number of bags required: 1481.76 pounds / 25 pounds/bag = 59.2672 bags.
Since we can't buy a fraction of a bag, we need to round up to the nearest whole number of bags.
Therefore, Steve will need 59 bags (rounded up) of dog food for 3 months.