Answer:
a. The linear equation is A(x) = 2.50 x + 2
b. The linear equation is B(x) = 2.25 x + 5
c. The amount of gas yields the same total cost from both stations is 12 gallons
Step-by-step explanation:
The form of the linear function is f(x) = m x + b, where
Let us solve the question
Station A:
∵ Station A costs $2 to drive there and back
- That means the initial amount is 2
∴ b = 2
∵ it sells gas for $2.5/gallon
- That means the price per gallon is $2.50 ⇒ rate of change
∴ m = 2.50
∵ A(x) is the total cost to buy x gallons of gas
- Substitute them in the form of the linear function above
∴ A(x) = 2.50 x + 2
a. The linear equation is A(x) = 2.50 x + 2
Station B:
∵ Station B costs $5 to drive there and back
- That means the initial amount is 5
∴ b = 5
∵ it sells gas for $2.25/gallon
- That means the price per gallon is $2.25 ⇒ rate of change
∴ m = 2.25
∵ B(x) is the total cost to buy x gallons of gas
- Substitute them in the form of the linear function above
∴ B(x) = 2.25 x + 5
b. The linear equation is B(x) = 2.25 x + 5
∵ The costs of the two stations are equal
- Equate A(x) and B(x)
∴ A(x) = B(x)
∴ 2.50 x + 2 = 2.25 x + 5
- Subtract 2.25 x from both sides
∴ 0.25 x + 2 = 5
- Subtract 2 from both sides
∴ 0.25 x = 3
- Divide both sides by 0.25
∴ x = 12
c. The amount of gas yields the same total cost from both stations is 12 gallons