Question A company orders 23 boxed lunches from a deli for \( \$ 201.25 \). Assume each boxed lunch is the same price. If \( c \) represents the total cost in dollars and cents of the lunch order for any number, \( b \), of boxed lunches ordered, write a proportional equation for \( c \) in terms of \( b \) that matches the context.

To express the total cost \( c \) in relation to the number of boxed lunches \( b \), we need to find the cost per boxed lunch. The total cost of $201.25 for 23 boxes means that each boxed lunch costs about $8.75. Thus, the proportional equation can be written as \( c = 8.75b \), where \( c \) is the total cost, and \( b \) is the number of boxed lunches ordered. In practical terms, this means that if you want to order a different number of lunches, you just multiply the number of boxes by 8.75 to get your total cost. So, for 10 boxed lunches, you’d simply calculate \( c = 8.75 \times 10 = 87.50 \). Easy peasy, right? Just keep that multiplier in mind, and you'll be a boxed lunch budgeting pro!