word problem

Question

a moving company charges a flat rate of $150 and an additional $5 fir each box. if a taxi service would charge $20 for each box. how many boxes would you need for it to be cheaper to use the moving company, and what would be the total cost?

Answer 1

Hi Grace.

 

Moving Company = 150 + 5n   (n = the number of boxes)

Taxi = 20n

 

The "break even" point is when these are the same.

 

150 + 5n = 20n

 

150 = 15n

 

n = 150/15 = 10

 

So with 10 boxes, it costs the same ($200) either way.

 

With 11 boxes, the Moving Company costs $205

With 11 boxes, the Taxi would cost $220.

 

Cheaper to use the moving company with 11 or more boxes.