Question

I am trying to help my son and I am lost. He is working on linear equations. Here it is:

The cost of a taxi ride is an initial fee plus $1.50 for each mile. Your fare for 9 miles is $15.50
Write an equation that models the total cost Y of a taxi ride in terms of the number of miles X.
How much is the initial fee?

Answer 1

The initial fee for a taxi ride can be calculated using the equation Y = a + 1.50x. By substituting the given values, we find that the initial fee is $2.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this problem, the total cost of a taxi ride is made up of an initial fee and $1.50 for each mile traveled. Let's assume that the initial fee is represented by the variable a, and the number of miles traveled is represented by the variable x. The equation that models the total cost Y of a taxi ride in terms of the number of miles X can be written as:

Y = a + 1.50x

From the problem, we know that for a 9-mile ride, the fare is $15.50. We can substitute these values into the equation to find the initial fee:

15.50 = a + 1.50(9)

15.50 = a + 13.50

a = 15.50 - 13.50 = $2

Therefore, the initial fee for a taxi ride is $2.