Question

To earn at least $2000 to put towards the purchase of a car next year, where x = the number of hours mowing lawns and y = the number of hours shoveling snow, write the inequality that best represents this problem.

A) 12.5x + 20y ≥ 2000
B) 12.5x + 20y ≤ 2000
C) 12.5x + 20y = 2000
D) 12.5x + 20y < 2000

Answer 1

The correct inequality representing the goal of earning at least $2000 is 12.5x + 20y ≥ 2000, where x is hours mowing lawns and y is hours shoveling snow.

Step-by-step explanation:

To answer the student's question about earning at least $2000 for the purchase of a car, where x represents the number of hours mowing lawns and y represents the number of hours shoveling snow, we need to write an inequality. We are given a rate of $12.50 per hour for mowing lawns and $20 per hour for shoveling snow. The total amount earned must be at least $2000. Therefore, the inequality should allow for the combination of earnings from both activities to be equal to or greater than $2000.

In mathematical terms, this is represented by the formula 12.5x + 20y ≥ 2000. Thus, the correct answer is: A) 12.5x + 20y ≥ 2000.