A snack tray at a party has cheese squares with 2 grams of protein apiece and turkey slices with 3 grams of protein apiece. Which inequality represents the possible ways Nina can eat 12 or more grams of protein, if x is the number of cheese squares that she eats and y is the number of turkey slices that she eats?

12 ≤ x + y
12 ≥ x + y
12 ≤ 2x + 3y
12 ≥ 2x + 3y

1 answer

To represent the possible ways Nina can consume 12 or more grams of protein from cheese squares and turkey slices, we need to consider the protein content for each item.

  • Each cheese square provides 2 grams of protein, so if she eats \( x \) cheese squares, it adds \( 2x \) grams of protein.
  • Each turkey slice provides 3 grams of protein, so if she eats \( y \) turkey slices, it adds \( 3y \) grams of protein.

To find the total protein she consumes, we can write the expression for total protein as:

\[ \text{Total Protein} = 2x + 3y \]

Nina wants to consume at least 12 grams of protein, which gives us the inequality:

\[ 2x + 3y \geq 12 \]

Therefore, the correct inequality that represents the possible ways Nina can eat 12 or more grams of protein is:

\[ 12 \leq 2x + 3y \]

So the answer is:

12 ≤ 2x + 3y