need help with math

Question

a truck can be rented from company A for $110 a day plus $0.40 per mile. Company B charges $40 a day plus $0.90 per mile to rent the same truck. Find the number of miles in a day at which the rental costs for Company A and Company B are he same.

Answer 1

Hi Sid, if the number of miles must be the same, then the cost plus miles for company A must equal the cost plus miles for company B. Let x represent the number of miles.

 

Equation for company A:

 

Cost = 110 + .40 * x

 

Equation for company B:

 

Cost = 40 + .90 * x

 

Solution:

 

110 + .40 * x = 40 + .90 * x

 

Combine terms:

 

70 = .50 x

 

x = 70 / .50, or 140 miles.

 

The trucks would have to travel 140 miles for the cost of company A to equal the cost of company B.

 

Check:

 

Company A:

 

Cost = 110 + .40 * 140

 

Cost = 166.00

 

Company B:

 

Cost = 40 + .90 * 140

 

Cost = 166

 

Cost is the same for both companies.

 

Questions?