1. **State the problem:** Clara has 9 pounds of apples. She sets aside 1.5 pounds for applesauce. She needs 1 \frac{1}{4} pounds of apples to make one pie. We want to find how many pies, $p$, she can make. 2. **Write the equation:** Total apples for pies = Total apples - Apples for applesauce $$9 - 1.5 = 7.5$$ Each pie requires 1 \frac{1}{4} pounds, which is $1.25$ pounds. The number of pies $p$ is given by: $$p \times 1.25 = 7.5$$ 3. **Solve the equation:** $$p = \frac{7.5}{1.25}$$ Show cancellation: $$p = \frac{\cancel{7.5}}{\cancel{1.25}} \times \frac{6}{6} = \frac{45}{6}$$ Simplify: $$p = 7.5$$ 4. **Interpretation:** Clara can make 7.5 pies with the apples she has left after setting aside apples for applesauce. **Final answer:** $$p = 7.5$$ pies