The cost of driving a car includes both fixed costs and mileage costs. Assume that it costs $175.50 per month for insurance and car payments and $0.22 per mile for gasoline, oil and routine maitenence.
a) find values for m and b so that y=mx+b models the monthly cost of driving the car x miles.
b) what does the value of b represent.

Question

The cost of driving a car includes both fixed costs and mileage costs. Assume that it costs $175.50 per month for insurance and car payments and $0.22 per mile for gasoline, oil and routine maitenence. 
a) find values for m and b so that y=mx+b models the monthly cost of driving the car x miles.
b) what does the value of b represent.

deoxna · Answer

B represents the fixed costs, and m is the cost per mile, maintainance, etc. For every mile you drive (x) you will pay $0.22, and you will start each month with the fixed fees (b).

anonymous · Answer

Need help understanding 
m=
and 
b=

pfenn1 · Answer

Do you mean you need understanding how to find m and b or that you don't know what m and b are?

anonymous · Answer

I don't understand how to work this out correctly.

pfenn1 · Answer

Well, as @DeoxNA said, b represents the fixed costs of driving the car.  In this case. the fixed costs are the insurance and car payments.  These costs are fixed in that you have to pay them every month regardless of how many miles you drive or if you drive at all. m is the amount it costs you to drive the car one mile.....these costs include maintenance, fuel, etc.  These costs go up and down depending on how many miles you drive the car.  Does this make sense?

pfenn1 · Answer

So, what are your fixed costs in this case?

anonymous · Answer

So y=0.22x + 175.50?

pfenn1 · Answer

Correct!  You got it!

anonymous · Answer

Oh good! :)

anonymous · Answer

Thank you for helping me understand. :)

pfenn1 · Answer

No problem!