Question

the cost of driving a car includes both the fixed cost and mileage costs assume that it costs 152.40 per month for insurance and car payment and .41 in gas oil and maintenance
(a) find the values of m and b so that y=mx+b models the cost of driving the car x miles
(b) what does the value of b represent

Answer 1

In the equation \(y=mx+b\), b is your constant (it doesn't change, no matter what x is) and x is your variable (which fluctuates based on m)

Answer 2

So, since insurance and the car payment won't change based on how much you drive, what would you classify them as?

Answer 3

would they be b or m

Answer 4

If I don't drive at all, will they change?

Answer 5

no they would not change because your car payment and insurance are there weither the car moves or not

Answer 6

Exactly! So they are fixed costs.

Answer 7

Which is your constant, \(b\).

Answer 8

so y =152.40x +0.41

Answer 9

It tells you miles are represented by \(x\), so all that's left is to assign a value to \(m\).

Answer 10

Not quite. You have the fixed costs as \(m\) there.

Answer 11

That would be a very expensive drive. :)

Answer 12

so y=0.41x+152.40

Answer 13

Yes, good.

Answer 14

You've actually now solved both parts. We just did (b) first.

Answer 15

ok so b represent that owning a car is expensive

Answer 16

Haha. In a way, yes. But, in terms of the question, we determined that \(b\) represents constant or fixed costs.

Answer 17

ok thanks for the step by step i learn better than some one jsut giving me the answers

Answer 18

You're very welcome. Thank you for being willing to do the work. :D

Answer 19

i would rather do the work my self but have a guiding hand i lean better this way and im a old man who is going back to school for his family

Answer 20

Good for you! Well, I'd be happy to help you any time you need it!

Answer 21

I love coming across people on this site who aren't just looking to have the answers given to them.

Answer 22

You should be proud of what you're doing.