Question

Tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike are determined by the number of miles that you drive regardless of whether you are going northbound or southbound. There are mile markers on the turnpike to alert the driver to their position on the highway. The equation that is used to determine how much a driver owes in tolls upon exiting the turnpike is calculated using an absolute value equation. Explain why this is a good application of absolute value.

Answer 1

The tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike are determined by the number of miles driven, and an absolute value equation is used to calculate the toll cost. This ensures that the distance traveled is always positive, regardless of the direction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The equation used to determine tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike is calculated using an absolute value equation because absolute value ensures that the distance traveled is always positive. Since tolls are determined by the number of miles driven, it is important to consider the distance regardless of whether the driver is going northbound or southbound.

Let's say the toll rate is $0.50 per mile. To calculate the toll cost, you can use the absolute value equation:

Toll cost = $0.50 * |miles driven|

For example, if a driver travels 50 miles on the turnpike, the toll cost would be:

Toll cost = $0.50 * |50| = $0.50 * 50 = $25