To determine the amount of soft serve Jamal could get for $7, Jamal likely used a unit rate that represented the cost per unit of soft serve. A unit rate tells us how much of something (in this case, soft serve) can be bought for a single unit of currency (like $1). Here's how Jamal might have thought through the problem:

1. Identify the Cost per Unit: Jamal would first need to know the price of the soft serve per ounce, per cup, or another measurable unit. For example, if soft serve costs $1.50 per ounce, that would be his unit rate.

2. Use the Unit Rate to Calculate Total Quantity: With the unit rate known (like $1.50 per ounce), Jamal can calculate how many ounces he can afford with $7 by dividing 7 by the unit rate (e.g., $7 \div 1.50$).

3. Choosing the Correct Unit: Jamal knew he needed a unit rate that aligned with the pricing structure—whether that’s per ounce, per cup, or per cone. Using the correct unit rate allows him to correctly calculate the amount of soft serve he can get within his budget.

In short, Jamal selected the unit rate based on the pricing information provided for the soft serve. By choosing the appropriate rate, he ensured his calculation would accurately reflect the amount he could buy for $7.

---

Would you like a more detailed explanation on unit rates or any other aspect of this?

Here are five related questions to deepen your understanding:

1. How do you calculate the unit rate from a given total price and quantity?
2. Why is it important to use the correct unit rate in a calculation?
3. What are some common mistakes people make when calculating with unit rates?
4. How can you apply unit rates to other real-life scenarios, like grocery shopping?
5. How does understanding unit rates help with budgeting?

Tip: When dealing with unit rates, always double-check that the units (e.g., dollars per ounce, dollars per liter) match what you’re trying to calculate. This prevents mistakes in your final answer.