Question

bags of candy sold
0 ½ 1 1½ 2 2½ 3
weight (pounds)
what is the total weight of the three lightest bags sold?
a 1½ pounds
b ½ pound
c 3 pounds
d 2½ pounds

Explanation:

Step1: Identify lightest weights

The weights on the line plot: one at $\frac{1}{2}$, two at $1$, one at $1\frac{1}{2}$, two at $2$, one at $2\frac{1}{2}$. The three lightest are $\frac{1}{2}$, $1$, $1$.

Step2: Sum the weights

Convert to fractions: $\frac{1}{2} + 1 + 1 = \frac{1}{2} + \frac{2}{2} + \frac{2}{2} = \frac{5}{2} = 2\frac{1}{2}$? Wait, no—wait, wait, maybe I misread. Wait, the plot: let's check again. The x - axis: 0, $\frac{1}{2}$, 1, $1\frac{1}{2}$, 2, $2\frac{1}{2}$, 3. The dots: at $\frac{1}{2}$: 1 dot; at 1: 2 dots; at $1\frac{1}{2}$: 2 dots? Wait no, the original plot: "Bags of Candy Sold" with dots: 1 at $\frac{1}{2}$, 2 at 1, 2 at $1\frac{1}{2}$, 2 at 2, 1 at $2\frac{1}{2}$? Wait the user's plot: "dots: one at 1/2, two at 1, two at 1 1/2, two at 2, one at 2 1/2"? Wait no, the question is three lightest. So the three lightest weights: the smallest is $\frac{1}{2}$ (1 bag), then 1 (two bags). So three lightest: $\frac{1}{2}$, 1, 1. Now sum: $\frac{1}{2} + 1 + 1 = \frac{1}{2} + \frac{2}{2} + \frac{2}{2} = \frac{5}{2} = 2\frac{1}{2}$? Wait but the options: D is $2\frac{1}{2}$? Wait no, the options: A is $1\frac{1}{2}$, B $\frac{1}{2}$, C 3, D $2\frac{1}{2}$. Wait maybe I miscounted. Wait the plot: let's see the original image description: "dots: one at 1/2, two at 1, two at 1 1/2, two at 2, one at 2 1/2"? Wait no, the user's plot: "Bags of Candy Sold" with the x - axis labels 0, 1/2, 1, 1 1/2, 2, 2 1/2, 3. The dots: at 1/2: 1 dot; at 1: 2 dots; at 1 1/2: 2 dots; at 2: 2 dots; at 2 1/2: 1 dot? Wait no, the user's text: "dots: one at 1/2, two at 1, two at 1 1/2, two at 2, one at 2 1/2"? Wait the question is three lightest. So the three lightest are: 1/2 (1 bag), 1 (1 bag), 1 (1 bag)? Wait no, maybe the dots: let's count the number of dots at each position. The plot: 0 (no dot), 1/2 (1 dot), 1 (2 dots), 1 1/2 (2 dots), 2 (2 dots), 2 1/2 (1 dot). So the weights are: 1/2 (1 time), 1 (2 times), 1 1/2 (2 times), 2 (2 times), 2 1/2 (1 time). So the three lightest weights are: 1/2, 1, 1. Now sum them: 1/2 + 1 + 1 = 1/2 + 2 = 2 1/2. Wait but option D is 2 1/2? Wait no, the options: A. 1 1/2, B. 1/2, C. 3, D. 2 1/2. Wait maybe I made a mistake. Wait, maybe the three lightest are 1/2, 1, 1? Wait 1/2 + 1 + 1 = 2.5, which is 2 1/2. So the answer should be D? Wait no, wait the options: D is 2 1/2? Wait the user's options: D is $2\frac{1}{2}$ pounds? Wait the original options: A $1\frac{1}{2}$, B $\frac{1}{2}$, C 3, D $2\frac{1}{2}$. So yes, the sum is 1/2 + 1 + 1 = 2 1/2. So the correct option is D? Wait no, wait maybe I miscounted the dots. Wait the plot: let's look again. The x - axis: 0, 1/2, 1, 1 1/2, 2, 2 1/2, 3. The dots: at 1/2: 1 dot; at 1: 2 dots; at 1 1/2: 2 dots; at 2: 2 dots; at 2 1/2: 1 dot. So the weights are: 1/2 (1 bag), 1 (2 bags), 1 1/2 (2 bags), 2 (2 bags), 2 1/2 (1 bag). So the three lightest bags: the lightest is 1/2 (1 bag), then the next lightest are 1 (two bags). So we take 1/2, 1, 1. Sum: 1/2 + 1 + 1 = 2.5 = 2 1/2. So the answer is D.

Answer:

D. $2\frac{1}{2}$ pounds