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blanca3
Sep 23, 2007, 09:44 PM
I have Algebra 2 homework and I don't understand one of the questions.
May someone help me?

Here's the 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?

ebaines
Sep 24, 2007, 08:10 AM
You can set up a simple algebra equation, and use normal algebra rules to manipulate, like this:

Let T = number of trips through the toll.
Cost without tag = $0.50*T
Cost with tag = $5.50 + $0.35*T

For the cost of the toll using the tag to be less than the cost withot the tag, set up and solve:

$5.50 + $0.35*T < $0.50*T

What you'll find is that the solution for T is not a whole number, so you will have to round up to the next whole number.