1. **State the problem:** Luna wants to buy 2 key lime pies at 8.99 each and some pounds of shrimp at 8.50 per pound. She wants to spend less than 45 total. 2. **Write the inequality:** Let $x$ be the pounds of shrimp she can buy. The total cost is the cost of pies plus the cost of shrimp, which must be less than 45. $$2 \times 8.99 + 8.50x < 45$$ 3. **Calculate the cost of pies:** $$2 \times 8.99 = 17.98$$ 4. **Rewrite the inequality:** $$17.98 + 8.50x < 45$$ 5. **Subtract 17.98 from both sides:** $$\cancel{17.98} + 8.50x - \cancel{17.98} < 45 - 17.98$$ $$8.50x < 27.02$$ 6. **Divide both sides by 8.50 to solve for $x$:** $$\frac{8.50x}{8.50} < \frac{27.02}{8.50}$$ $$x < 3.1776...$$ 7. **Interpret the result:** Luna can buy less than approximately 3.18 pounds of shrimp. 8. **Round to the nearest whole pound:** Luna can buy up to 3 pounds of shrimp to stay under 45 total. **Final answer:** Luna can buy **3 pounds** of shrimp.