Final answer:
To compare the cost of renting a car from Company A and Company B, we create an equation for each and then subtract to find the difference. The difference in cost is calculated as $40 plus 10 cents for each mile driven.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine how much more Company B charges than Company A for x miles, we need to compare the two costs by setting up an equation for each company and then finding the difference between them.
For Company A, the cost is given as a flat rate of $35.50 plus 8 cents per mile, which can be written as the equation C_A = 35.50 + 0.08x, where C_A is the cost for A and x is the number of miles.
For Company B, the cost is a flat rate of $75.50 plus 18 cents per mile, so the equation is C_B = 75.50 + 0.18x, where C_B is the cost for B.
To find out how much more Company B charges for x miles than Company A, we calculate the difference between C_B and C_A:
Difference = C_B - C_A
Difference = (75.50 + 0.18x) - (35.50 + 0.08x)
Difference = 75.50 + 0.18x - 35.50 - 0.08x
Difference = 40 + 0.10x
So, Company B charges $40 more for the base rate and an additional 10 cents per mile compared to Company A.