To solve for the total number of pounds of cheese Kala bought, let's follow the given equation:
[tex]\[ p = 0.50 + 1.25 \][/tex]
Here, [tex]\( p \)[/tex] represents the total number of pounds of cheese.
1. Kala bought 0.50 pounds of American cheese.
2. She also bought 1.25 pounds of Swiss cheese.
We need to add these two amounts together to find the total weight of the cheese:
[tex]\[ 0.50 (pounds \, of \, American \, cheese) + 1.25 (pounds \, of \, Swiss \, cheese) \][/tex]
When we add these two quantities, we get:
[tex]\[ 0.50 + 1.25 = 1.75 \][/tex]
So, the total number of pounds of cheese Kala bought is:
[tex]\[ p = 1.75 \, pounds \][/tex]
Thus, the correct answer is [tex]\( \boxed{1.75} \)[/tex].
