Problema Solution
Suzanne is going to rent a car while she is out of town. One car rental company offers a flat rate of $35 per day plus $0.10 per mile. Another car rental company offers the same car for $25 per day plus $0.25 per mile. She will need the car for 5 days. How many miles would she need to drive for the first rental company to be the better deal?
Answer provided by our tutors
35(5) + .1x = 25(5) + .25x
.1x = -50 +.25x (solve for x [remove 175 from the left side])
.15x = 50 (flip the signs, save a step)
x = at least 333.33 miles
Proof
drive 100 miles
One car company = 35*5 + .1(100) = $185 Another car rental = 25*5 + .25(100) = $150
drive 400 miles
One car company = 35*5 + .1(400) = $215 Another car rental = 25*5 + .25(400) = $225
drive 333.33
One car company = 35*5 + .1(333) = $208.3 ~ Another car rental = 25*5 + .25(333) = $208.25 TRUE
NOTE!! Car companies will not chard you by the third mile, so it is best to round the 333.33 answer up to the 334 mile mark.