To find the equation that best describes the information given, letβs define the variables:
Let \( j \) represent the number of pencils Josie has, and let \( m \) represent the number of pencils Marcy has.
According to the information provided:
- Josie has three times as many pencils as Marcy: \( j = 3m \).
- Marcy has 12 pencils: \( m = 12 \).
Substituting \( m = 12 \) into the equation, we get: \[ j = 3 \times 12 \] \[ j = 36 \]
Now let's analyze the given equations:
- \( 3j = 12 \) - This equation suggests that three times the number of pencils Josie has equals 12, which is incorrect under the given information.
- \( j/3 = 12 \) - This implies that Josie has 36 pencils, but it is not the form we derived.
- \( 3j = 12 \) - Same as the first option, this is incorrect.
- \( 3 \) over \( j = 12 \) - This suggests that three divided by Josie's amount equals 12, which is also incorrect.
- \( j = 12/3 \) - This would imply Josie has 4 pencils, which is also incorrect.
Given these options, none of them directly represent the equation derived from the information provided. However, the correct relationship from the problem is:
\[ j = 3m \]
Where \( m = 12 \). If we had to settle with one provided, \( j = 3(12) \) would result in finding \( j = 36 \), which is the conclusion.
For summarizing: The best overall equation based on the conditions is:
Josie's pencils: \( j = 3 \times 12 = 36 \).