Final answer:
To determine the number of months it would take for the total cost for both cell phone carriers to be equal, set up an equation: 60 + 30x = 0 + 40x. Solve for x to find that it would take 6 months.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the number of months it would take for the total cost for both cell phone carriers to be equal, let's set up an equation.
Let x be the number of months.
For AT&T, the total cost is given by: 60 + 30x.
For Metro, the total cost is given by: 0 + 40x (since there is no activation fee).
We can set up the equation: 60 + 30x = 0 + 40x.
Subtract 30x from both sides: 60 = 10x.
Divide both sides by 10: 6 = x.
Therefore, it would take 6 months for the total cost for both cell phone carriers to be equal.