Question

A bus company took a tour on the ferry when there were 30 people aboard. The very charge the bus company $180. The following week the bus and 50 people on board and the ferry charge them $220. How much is the base rate for the empty bus? How much does each person cost?

Answer 1

$2 variable per person, 120 base fee

Explanation:

the delta are 20 persons and $40

therefore variable cost are $2 per person

base fee: 180-30*2=120

Answer 2

Base rate is $ 120 and each person costs $ 2.

Explanation:

Let the equation that shows the total charges for x persons,

y = ax + b

Where,

a = cost per person,

b = base rate of empty bus,

According to the question,

if x = 30, y = $ 180,

180 = 30a + b -------(1),

if x = 50, y = $ 220,

220 = 50a + b -----(2),

Equation (2) - equation (1),

40 = 20a

⇒ a = 2,

From equation (1),

180 = 30(2) + b

180 = 60 + b

⇒ b = 120

Hence, base rate for empty bus = $ 120

And, each person costs $ 2.