The lunch platter at one restaurant cost $7. Write an equation that shows the total cost, c, of p people buying the lunch platter?

I'm am not sure how to factor the variables into the equation.

c = 7p

Step-by-step explanation:

If 1 person buys the platter, the bill is c = 1 * $7.

If 2 people buy the platter, the bill is c = 2 * $7.

If 3 people buy the platter, the bill is c = 3 * $7.

(Do you see the pattern yet?)

If "p" people buy the platter, the bill is c = p * $7.

We ususally say "c is in dollars" and drop the "$" sign from the equation. When p is multiplied by 7, we conventionally write it as 7p.

... c = 7p