16. The Cost of Eating at Restaurants Petra visits her favorite Thai res- taurant three times a month. She spends a total of \( \$ 19 \) each visit. A local Thai market sells all the ingredients needed to make Petra's usua Thai meal. The total cost of ingredients needed to make the meal one time is \( \$ 6 \). How much can Petra save if she prepares the dish at home twice a month and goes to the restaurant only once a month?

To calculate how much Petra can save by preparing the dish at home twice a month and going to the restaurant only once a month, we need to follow these steps: 1. Calculate the total cost of eating at the restaurant three times a month. 2. Calculate the total cost of preparing the dish at home twice a month. 3. Subtract the cost of preparing at home from the cost of eating at the restaurant to find the savings. Step 1: Calculate the total cost of eating at the restaurant three times a month. Petra spends $19 each visit, so: Total cost at restaurant = $19/visit × 3 visits/month = $57/month Step 2: Calculate the total cost of preparing the dish at home twice a month. The cost of ingredients for one meal is $6, so for two meals: Total cost at home = $6/meal × 2 meals/month = $12/month Step 3: Subtract the cost of preparing at home from the cost of eating at the restaurant to find the savings. Savings = Total cost at restaurant - Total cost at home Savings = $57/month - $12/month = $45/month Petra can save $45 per month by preparing the dish at home twice a month and going to the restaurant only once a month.