construction company will be fined for each day it is late completing its current project. The daily fine will be $4000 for the first day and will increase by $1000 each day. Based on its budget, the company can only afford $60,000 in total fines. What is the maximum number of days it can be late?
Answer:

Question

construction company will be fined for each day it is late completing its current project. The daily fine will be $4000 for the first day and will increase by $1000 each day. Based on its budget, the company can only afford $60,000 in total fines. What is the maximum number of days it can be late?
Answer:

mathmale · Answer

Write a linear equation that represents the amount of the fine due.  Let x=the number of days completion of the project is late.  The initial value of this function, at x=1, is $4000 (which is your y-intercept).  The slope of this function is $1000/day.

Once you've set up this function, equate it to $60,000 and solve the resulting equation for x.