Looks like we have enough information to make an equation! Since the $0.60 per mile is a flat and constant rate, this equation would take the form of a line and thus we can use the slope-intercept formula:
y = mx + b where
So let's list out what we know:
The taxi will always charge a base rate of $1.50. That means b = 1.50. If you were looking at this on a graph, that is the point where the line crosses the y-axis (since you can't have a negative value ride!).
You are charged $0.60 per mile. That means m = 0.60 and x = miles.
And finally, we know the ride is $5.40 overall! That would be our y.
So let's plug it all in
5.40 = 0.60x + 1.50
We can find out how many miles were driven by solving for x
First, let's subtract 1.50 from both sides
5.40 - 1.50 = 0.60x + 1.50 - 1.50
3.90 = 0.60x
Now divide both sides by 0.60 to isolate x
3.90/0.60 = 0.60x/0.60
6.5 = x
Since x = miles, we know that the taxi drove 6.5 miles!