Question

An individual is planning to take an 800-mile trip between two large cities. Three pos-sibilities exist: air, rail, or auto. The person is willing to pay $25 for every hour savedin making the trip. The trip by air costs $600 and travel time is 8 hours, by rail the costis $450 and travel time is 16 hours, and by auto the cost is $200 and travel time is 20 hours.

(a) Which mode is the best choice?
(b) What factors other than cost might influence the decision regarding which mode to use?

Answer 1

1. Auto is the best mode since it is the cheapest

2. Safety, reliability, convenience should be considered

Step-by-step explanation:

1.

This person is willing to pay $25 per hour.

To get the mode, which is the best choice I used this formula

Cost of trip + 25T

T = time or number of hours

By air travel

Cost = $600, T = 8 hours

600+25(8)

= 600+200

= 800 dollars

By rail,

Cost = $450

T = 16 hours

450+25(16)

= 450+400

= 850 dollars

By auto,

Cost = $200

T = 20 hours

200+25(20)

= 200+500

= 700 dollars

From these calculations the cost of Traveling by auto is the cheapest so it is the best mode.

2. Other factors to consider when choosing an alternative mode of transport

A. Safety: this transportation material should be able to get to it's destination without any form of damages happening

B. Reliability: the material should be able to fulfill it's requirements

C. Convenience: in terms of availability per day and also the frequency of traveling time