Question

On the Y axis we have the profit from the trucking company and on the X axis we have the miles the truck has traveled. The company decided that they needed to start paying for a driver at a price of 0.25 cents a mile. After this change what will happen to the x and y axis/slope?

A. Y intercept will be less and X will be less

B. Y intercept will be less and X intercept will be greater

C. Y intercept will be greater and X will be greater

D. Y intercept will be greater and X will be less

Answer 1

Answer: choice B.)

Let’s first establish a linear equation in the form y=mx+b. To do so, we must define the variables:
y=profit
x=miles traveled
m=$.25/mile

Remember, the y-axis shows profit (a positive value), but having to pay for a truck driver subtracts from the profit. Therefore, the slope will subtract from the profit, which is the y-intercept (starting point). This is because the company spends profit for a truck driver to drive at a rate of $.25/mile. This results in the following equation:
y=-.25x+b

Consequently, this shows that the y-intercept, or “b,” (profit) will be subtracted from the cost of paying for a driver.

Answer 2

answer: D. Y intercept will be greater and X will be less.


explanation: Adding the cost of paying a driver for each mile driven will decrease the overall profit (Y-axis), leading to a higher Y-intercept. In addition, the cost of paying for a driver will reduce the profit for each mile driven (slope), leading to a shallower slope, or a decrease in the X variable.