Question

Two providers offer a different cell phone plan. Metro PCS offers a $50.00 unlimited minute plan with the same cost for any number of minutes used. Virgin offers a basic plan that cost $20 plus $0.20 per minute used. Graph the following system of equations labeling all axes. Then identify whether Metro PCS or Virgin would have a lower cost with 200 minutes used per month.

Lower cost option for 200 minutes used per mont: Metro PCS or Virgin.

Answer 1

@mathmale

Answer 2

Would you help me please?

Answer 3

How could I turn down such a polite request?
How are your graphing skills?
This math problem seems to ask that you draw two graphs on the same set of xy axes; realistically, you need concentrate only on the parts of the graphs in question that are in the first quadrant (since we're not dealing with negative x or y in this problem).

Answer 4

I'm good at graphing but I'm not good geting the equations

Answer 5

The first graph is that of the constant function y = Cost = $50.00. Mark your vertical axis y=Cost and use scale divisions $10: $0, $10, $20, etc., up until $50 or $60. Draw a vertical line through $50. You with me so far?

Answer 6

Yes

Answer 7

Take a look at the 2nd phone company:
Virgin offers a basic plan that cost $20 plus $0.20 per minute used.
I interpret this to be representable by a straight line whose y-intercept is $20 and whose slope is $0.20/minute.
Assuming you've already labeled the vertical axis, now label the horizontal (x-) axis. I'd suggest you use scale divisions of 100 minutes and go up to 300 minutes. The horiz. axis represents the number of minutes spent talking on the phone, in hundreds of minutes.

Answer 8

Look, Dan: If you use 100 minutes, your Cost with Virgin will be ($0.20/min)(100 minutes), or (how much money) .... ??

Answer 9

I'm now waiting for your reply before typing more.

Answer 10

20?

Answer 11

Right, so after using 100 minutes, Virgin would charge you $20 (the vertical incept) PLUS $20 more for the 100 minutes you'd used. Make sense?

Answer 12

And this situation would result in the point on the graph (100 min , $40). OK with that?

Answer 13

Yes

Answer 14

Now I'm going to assume that you've drawn a straight line thru your vertical intercept (0, $20) with slope $0.20/minute and passing thru the point (100, $40). Have you?

Answer 15

yes

Answer 16

Now please draw a vetical line through x = 200 minutes. It should intersect both of the lines you've drawn. Let me know when you've done this.

Answer 17

Wait... I didn't get the first lane

Answer 18

The first line is a horizontal one, through y=Cost=$50.

Answer 19

Oh... Got it

Answer 20

And you've drawn that vertical line thru x=200 minutes?

Answer 21

Yes

Answer 22

At 200 minutes' usage, which of the intersections of this vertical line with the 2 graphs is higher?

Answer 23

Wait what?

Answer 24

Note that the vert. line intersects the horiz. line y=C=$50 at (200,$50).
The same vert. line intersects the sloping line (for Virgin) where?

Which dollar amount is the greater?

Answer 25

Dan, you're to compare the prices that the 2 different phone companies would charge for the same usage. Metro PCS would charge you $50 for those 200 minutes of use.
Virgin would charge you how much? Again, look at where your vertical line thru x=200 min. intersects the sloping line you've ddrawn thru (0,$20).

Answer 26

The one from Virgin intercept at (200,60)

Answer 27

So Virgin would charge you more than Metro PCS, right? Please re-read the original question and phrase your answer appropriately.

Answer 28

Metro PCS would have a lower cost with 200 minutes per month, because it intercept 200 minutes at 50 dollars, And virgin at 60.
I'm Not sure

Answer 29

You were asked which carrier would charge less, so your answer would be Metro PCS.

Answer 30

If you review what we've discussed here, what did you learn that you could use later?

Answer 31

I can say I learned that I need to read better because in the problem they were telling me how to do the graph
.

Answer 32

I've surely enjoyed this discussion. I won't be on OpenStudy much longer tonight, but will certainly look for you and your questions in the very near future.

Answer 33

Thank you so much

Answer 34

My great pleasure, Dan. See you soon, I hope.

Answer 35

Me too