Final answer:
To determine the shipping cost of a 2-pound package, convert the weight to ounces (32 ounces), account for the initial charge for the first 3 ounces (1.95), and add the cost for the remaining 29 ounces at 0.17 each, totaling 6.88.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the cost of shipping a 2-pound package, we use the given postal rates. Since there are 16 ounces in 1 pound, a 2-pound package equals 32 ounces. The post office charges 1.95 for the first 3 ounces. Every additional ounce costs 0.17. So we subtract the first 3 ounces from the total weight and then calculate the cost for the remaining ounces.
The calculation can be done as follows:
- Initial 3 ounces: 1.95
- Remaining weight in ounces: 32 - 3 = 29 ounces
- Additional cost: 29 ounces x 0.17/ounce = 4.93
- Total cost: 1.95 + 4.93 = 6.88
This approach to calculating postage makes it easy to understand the incremental cost structure of shipping packages.