Question

A florist orders exactly

\[\dfrac{1}{3}\] gallons of nutrient-rich water for each bushel of flowers he buys. The florist buys bushels of flowers at
\[\$1.20\] per bushel and gallons of nutrient-rich water at
\[\$0.60\] per gallon. Which of the following equations gives the total cost,
\[C(b)\], in dollars, for
\[b\] bushels of flowers and the nutrient-rich water ordered for them?

Answer 1

The total cost C(b) for b bushels of flowers and the nutrient-rich water is calculated by the equation C(b) = $1.40b, representing the sum of the costs for both the bushels of flowers and the nutrient-rich water required for them.

The question asks for the equation to calculate the total cost, C(b), in dollars, for b bushels of flowers and the nutrient-rich water needed for them. Since the florist buys bushels of flowers at $1.20 per bushel and requires ⅓ gallons of nutrient-rich water per bushel, priced at $0.60 per gallon, the total cost can be calculated as follows:

C(b) = Cost of flowers + Cost of water

= (Price per bushel × Number of bushels) + (Price per gallon of water × Quantity of water)

= ($1.20 × b) + ($0.60 × (⅓ × b))

= $1.20b + $0.20b

= $1.40b

Thus, the equation for the total cost in relation to the number of bushels is C(b) = $1.40b.