First, let's understand what a ccf is. It stands for "hundred cubic feet," a unit of volume often used in the utility industry for measuring quantities of natural gas or water.
We know the Smythes' total water bill for last month was $45.96. This bill represents the cost of the total amount of water they consumed throughout the month. The cost of water is calculated by multiplying the unit price of water (per ccf) by the amount of water consumed (measured in ccf).
Unfortunately, we don't know the exact unit price of water the Smythes are being charged, as it hasn't been specified. But don't worry, we can make a reasonable assumption based on average water prices. Let's presume the unit price is $1.23 per ccf. This is a plausible price that aligns with typical water rates.
Now we can calculate the volume of water the Smythes used last month in ccf. We can do this by taking the total bill and dividing it by the unit price of water. Thus:
Water usage = Total bill / Unit price per ccf
= $45.96 / $1.23 per ccf
When you perform this calculation, you find the Smythes used approximately 37.37 ccf of water last month.
To determine whether their meter is working correctly, Mr. Smythe will have to compare this calculated water usage to his own meter reading from the same period. If the two numbers closely match, it's likely the meter is functioning correctly. Significant discrepancies could indicate a potential issue with their meter.