To determine how many words Susan can read per minute, we start by analyzing the given information:
Susan can read 72 words in one-third of a minute. To find her reading speed in words per minute, we can use the formula:
\[ \text{Words per minute} = \frac{\text{Total words}}{\text{Time in minutes}} \]
First, let's convert the one-third of a minute into minutes:
\[ \frac{1}{3} \text{ minute} \]
Now, we can calculate her reading speed:
\[ \text{Words per minute} = \frac{72 \text{ words}}{\frac{1}{3} \text{ minute}} = 72 \times 3 = 216 \text{ words per minute} \]
So, the correct statement is:
She can read 216 words per minute, because 72 divided by one-third is equal to 216.