Final answer:
To find the maximum rental cost for a bike, we apply a tiered hourly pricing starting with $4 per hour for the first three hours, followed by reduced rates for subsequent hours, calculating each period's cost and summing them to find a total.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the maximum price of the bike rental, we must consider the rate changes as time increases, per the provided structure. With the hourly charge being $4 per hour for the first three hours, we start with a base cost of 3 hours × $4 = $12. Unfortunately, the question does not provide the specific rates beyond the third hour, but it suggests a tiered pricing structure where the hourly rate drops after the third hour and drops further after the sixth hour.
Assuming the rates provided ($1 per hour, $2 per hour, $3 per hour, $4 per hour, and $5 per hour), we can create an example calculation. For instance, if the rate drops to $3 per hour for the next three hours (hours 4-6), and then to $2 per hour for the following four hours (hours 7-10), the calculation would be:
- First 3 hours: 3 × $4 = $12 (already calculated)
- Next 3 hours (hours 4-6): 3 × $3 = $9
- Next 4 hours (hours 7-10): 4 × $2 = $8
Adding these together, the maximum rental cost for up to 10 hours would be $12 + $9 + $8 = $29.