Question

Use the information given below to compare the cost of operating a vehicle for one month (4 weeks) for three different car owners. Joe, Tim, and Sue each own a car. If Joe works 5 days each week, Tim works 4 days a week, and Sue works 3 days a week, how many workdays (round trips) each month? If Joe drives 30 miles round trip to work, Tim drives 40, and Sue drives 18, how many round trip miles will each driver make a month? If each driver estimates gas at 20 miles per gallon and $1.80 per gallon, what will be the cost for gas to go to work for each driver? Joe pays $1,920 a year for insurance, Tim pays $3,000 a year, and Sue pays $1,080 a year. Joe pays $1,200 a year for maintenance. Tim pays $360 a year for maintenance because he likes to work on his car himself. Sue pays $596 dollars a year for maintenance. What is the total cost per month for each driver?

Options:
Option 1: Joe - Tim - Sue
Option 2: Tim - Joe - Sue
Option 3: Sue - Joe - Tim
Option 4: Joe - Sue - Tim

Answer 1

After calculating the monthly workdays, round trip miles, gas cost, and adding the monthly insurance and maintenance costs, we find that Sue has the lowest total monthly cost, followed by Joe, and Tim has the highest. The correct order of costs is Sue - Joe - Tim.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the total cost per month for each driver, Joe, Tim, and Sue, we need to calculate the number of workdays they work each month, the total round trip miles they drive, the cost of gas, and add the monthly costs of insurance and maintenance.

1. First, calculate the number of workdays per month:
   • Joe works 5 days a week for 4 weeks: 5 days × 4 weeks = 20 workdays.
   • Tim works 4 days a week for 4 weeks: 4 days × 4 weeks = 16 workdays.
   • Sue works 3 days a week for 4 weeks: 3 days × 4 weeks = 12 workdays.
2. Next, calculate the total round-trip miles per month:
3. Now, estimate the gas cost for each driver (at 20 miles per gallon and $1.80 per gallon):
   • Joe: (600 miles ÷ 20) × $1.80 = $54 for gas.
   • Tim: (640 miles ÷ 20) × $1.80 = $57.60 for gas.
   • Sue: (216 miles ÷ 20) × $1.80 = $19.44 for gas.
4. Finally, add the monthly insurance and maintenance costs:
   • Joe: ($1,920 ÷ 12 for insurance) + ($1,200 ÷ 12 for maintenance) + $54 for gas = $234.
   • Tim: ($3,000 ÷ 12 for insurance) + ($360 ÷ 12 for maintenance) + $57.60 for gas = $327.60.
   • Sue: ($1,080 ÷ 12 for insurance) + ($596 ÷ 12 for maintenance) + $19.44 for gas = $133.44.

Using this information, we can now compare the costs:

• Joe's total cost per month: $234
• Tim's total cost per month: $327.60
• Sue's total cost per month: $133.44

Therefore, the costs in ascending order are: Sue - Joe - Tim, so the correct option is Option 3.