What is the formula to calculate the capacity of a boat?

The correct method to calculate the capacity of a boat is derived from the formula that takes into account the length and width of the boat. The formula allows you to determine how many people can safely be on board. In this case, the formula states that the number of people is equal to the boat length in feet multiplied by the boat width, and then divided by 15.

This calculation is based on principles that help ensure safety on the water by factoring in the physical dimensions of the boat. The division by 15 is used to convert the area into a measure that reflects how many individuals can fit safely, considering an average weight distribution. This ensures that boats are not overloaded beyond their capacity, which is critical for stability and safety during operation.

Other formulas presented do not accurately calculate capacity because they either misrepresent how length and width should relate to each other or use incorrect operations. For instance, addition and subtraction of dimensions without proper context do not yield a meaningful measure of capacity. The multiplication of length and width is essential to create a dimensional area from which you can derive how many people the boat can accommodate safely. Thus, option C is the correct choice because it correctly utilizes the relationship between the boat's dimensions to determine safe passenger capacity.