Answer:
In 4 months the two plans will cost the same.
Explanation:
Let
represent the number of months of usage of phone
Let
represent the total amount charged by the plans.
Plan A:
Plan A charges $40 for a new phone and $20 for per month usage.
Fixed charge = $40
Per month usage charge = $20
Usage charges in dollars for
months will be =
![20x](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/high-school/plws33fz6gxfc18i8djxsf4efbuxpyj093.png)
Thus total charges
in dollars can be given as:
A)
Plan B.
Plan B provides the phone for free, but has a fee of $30 for per month usage.
Fixed charge = $0
Per month usage charge = $30
Usage charges in dollars for
months will be =
![30x](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/high-school/3ews6kveeuzk780wtccf7ata7qmnc62o12.png)
Thus total charges
in dollars can be given as:
B)
In order to determine the number of month in which the two plans will charge same we will equate the equations.
Substituting equation B in equation A.
![30x=20x+40](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/v20jyyuup7ghh56ug5j2csi4iqvejl3vm7.png)
Solving for
![x](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/k3ozza40nv61jy1offmxaxutrb6y1c3ly5.png)
Subtracting both sides by
![20x](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/high-school/plws33fz6gxfc18i8djxsf4efbuxpyj093.png)
![30x-20x=20x-20x+40](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/su8cgdzjxgmjwm0ra5wot5gsvfykdygt81.png)
![10x=40](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/rwrxf9o9udaszj4u6xsyf4i6sf2o7olg4i.png)
Dividing both sides by 10.
![(10x)/(10)=(40)/(10)](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/968toua1iedxc2vcg29ah20jxmav2le0kb.png)
∴
![x=4](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/high-school/hxnxycp7ditjozikbfiiya3nb2g21vrzay.png)
Thus, in 4 months the plans will cost the same.