Question

Gas usage for a local gas utility is measured in therms. The utility charges a fixed fee of $14.30 for the service, a distribution charge of $0.40 per therm, and a gas supply charge of $0.55 per therm. Write a function that describe the monthly bill in dollars in terms of the number of therms used, x.

a) $38.30
b) $41.80
c) $28.30
d) $25.70

Answer 1

The function that describes the monthly gas bill is Total Cost = $14.30 + ($0.95 * x), where x is the number of terms used.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the function that describes the monthly bill in dollars in terms of the number of therms used, x, we need to account for the fixed fee, the distribution charge, and the gas supply charge. The formula for calculating the total cost of the gas bill is:

Total Cost = Fixed Fee + (Distribution Charge Per Therm * Number of Therms) + (Gas Supply Charge Per Therm * Number of Therms)

Substituting the given values into the formula, we get:

Total Cost = $14.30 + ($0.40 * x) + ($0.55 * x)

Combining like terms, the simplified function is:

Total Cost = $14.30 + ($0.95 * x)

This function allows us to calculate the monthly bill based on the number of terms used.