Question

Mohammad is shopping for a cellular phone service. Atlantic Cellular charges a monthly fee of $30 for up to 500 minutes. For every minute over 500, there is a $0.16 charge. Edison Communications has a cell phone plan that charges $40 for up to 500 minutes. They charge $0.11 for every minute over 500. For how many total minutes would both plans charge the same amount?

Answer 1

700

Explanation:

Each service's total charge consists of a fixed charge plus a charge per minute.

With both services, the first 500 minutes are included in the monthly fee.

Let x = number of minutes above 500.

Atlantic:

total charge = 30 + 0.16x

Edison:

total charge = 40 + 0.11x

Set the total charges equal and solve for x.

30 + 0.16x = 40 + 0.11x

Subtract 0.11x from both sides. Subtract 30 from both sides.

0.05x = 10

Divide both sides by 0.05.

x = 200

Each plan includes 500 minutes.

The charges are equal at 200 minutes above the included 500 minutes.

Total minutes = 500 + 200 = 700

Answer: 700