Need help with this math problem

Question

My instructur stated to be mindful of the wording on this one. The answers i have been giving isnt correct.I need assistance and understanding of how to solve this problem. Thanks

 

I want to take a taxi to the airport in OKC. It is 16 miles away. The driver charges $3.20 for the first mile and $2.10 for each mile thereafter. How much will it cost me to get to te OKC airport?

Answer 1

Hi LaToya--

 

Think of it this way:

 

Once the first mile is done, you've paid 3.20, and you have 15 miles left to go.

 

EACH ONE of those 15 miles will cost you 2.10. So you'll have to pay 2.10, FIFTEEN times-- plus the original 3.20. So your equation looks like this:

 

(15 x 2.10) + 3.20, which comes out to:

 

31.50 + 3.20, which comes out to:

 

34.70

 

Hope this helps you out!

 

Matt in New York

Answer 2

Hello LaToya -

 

As is true for so many problems, you have to dis-assemble the situation. In this case, the first mile is the first part of the problem. You get in the taxi and go a mile. You just spent $3.20. Now part two. Now how far are you going? Hopefully you got the answer 15 from 16 - 1, Ha! Now each mile costs $2.10, so multiply. 15(2.10) = $31.50. Add in the first mile, and you spent $34.70.

 

Hope this makes sense.

 

Ken