Question

you have the option to rent a snow plow for $20 and then $4 per hour for pay your neighbor Kevin $8 per hour how many hours will be required in order to have the cost be the same which will be the least expensive if it only takes 3 hours to clear the driveway

Answer 1

5 hours for it to cost the same. Paying Kevin would be least expensive

Explanation:

8x = 4x + 20 set equation equal to each other

8x-4x = 20 put all x on one side of equal sign

4x = 20

x = 20/4 divide both sides by 4 to get x alone

x = 5

test it out

8(5) = 40

4(5) + 20 = 40

Therefore they are equal

if it only takes 3 hours set up equation and check costs

Kevin rate = 8 * 3 = 24

Rent snow plow = 20 + 4(3) = 32

Therefore Kevin would be cheaper/ least expensive