Algebra 2 word problem?
The usual toll charge to use the Bingham tunnel is 50 cents. If you purchase a special sticker for $5.50, the toll is only 35 cents. At least how many trips through the tunnel are needed before the sticker costs less than paying for each trip separately?
Comments
Let # trips = x
Without sticker: cost = 0.50x
With sticker: 0.35x + 5.50
Goal: find when 0.35x+5.50 is less than 0.50x
0.35x + 5.50 < 0.50x (solve as if it were an equal sign)
5.50 < 0.15x (I subtracted 0.35x from both sides)
36.66667 < x
Technically, the cost is less after 36.66667 trips. However, you can't actually have a fraction of a trip. For this reason, round the number to the next highest whole number.
It is cheaper after 37 trips.
12 trips
If you make 37 or more trips, get the sticker.
36 trips or less, don't get it.
You will need to setup an equation
.50x= .35x+ 5.50
Then turn the answer to the next integer(this equation gives you the point when they are equal)