Question

How many pounds, p, will it take for UPS and FedEx to cost the same? What is the equation for this scenario?

A) p = 40
B) p = 60
C) p = 80
D) p = 100

Answer 1

Equating the expressions and solving the equation, 7 + 0.2p = 5 + 0.3p, show that it will take 20 pounds for the cost of UPS and FedEx to be the same.

UPS FedEx

First pound charge $7 $5

Additional charge $0.20 $0.30

Let the number of pounds = p

UPS total charge: 7 + 0.2p

FedEx total charge: 5 + 0.3p

For the cost to be the same, 7 + 0.2p = 5 + 0.3p

Solving the equation:

7 + 0.2p = 5 + 0.3p

2 = 0.1p

p = 20

Thus, if one is sending a parcel that weighs 20, the cost at UPS and FedEx will be the same.

Complete Question:

UPS charges $7 for the first pound, and $0.20 for each additional pound. FedEx charges $5 for the first pound and $0.30 for each additional pound. Let p represent the number of pounds. How many pounds will it take for UPS and FedEx to cost the same? Explain.