The cost of producing pots is the initial investment, $175, plus $3.50 in materials per pot. therefore, the function c(p) = 175 + 3.5p defines the cost, c, of producing a number of pots, p. to the nearest cent, how much will it cost to produce 125 pots? the variable p stands for the number of pots, so you will solve this equation for p = 125. (enter only the number without the dollar sign, such as 25.03 for twenty-five dollars and 3 cents.)