The Solution:
For Mike's Repair charges, the equation:
![\begin{gathered} c=100x \\ \text{ where} \\ c=\text{ cost in dollars} \\ x=\text{ number of hours (time in hours)} \end{gathered}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/f92037ba2nh5mlb3xoybyt09ysf42kk3cx.png)
For Sam's Repair charges, the equation is given as:
![\begin{gathered} y=75x+125 \\ \text{ Where} \\ x=\text{time in hours} \\ y=\text{ cost in dollars} \end{gathered}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/vv05se992hbzwjrhuk2rxsukg9ekbt9mub.png)
Part (a):
Comparing the total charges for a 2-hour job, we have
![\begin{gathered} \text{ Mike's charges:} \\ \text{when x=2} \\ c=100x=100(2)=\text{ \$200} \end{gathered}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/jdlyhvufq5457mxyopjoyqbujpx7w11zdx.png)
![\begin{gathered} \text{ Sam's charges:} \\ \text{ When x=2} \\ y=75x+125=75(2)+125=150+125=\text{ \$275} \end{gathered}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/bnmivsbuq2wlw55q66tmdmdplogs96bj1r.png)
Clearly, we have that:
![\begin{gathered} cThus, <strong>the company that charges less for a 2-hour job is Mike's Repair which charges $200.</strong><p>Therefore, <strong>the correct answer is Mike's Repair.</strong></p><p>part (b):</p><p>To use my understanding of tables, graphs and equations to explain why I chose my answer in part (a):</p><p>The fixed charge of $125 by Sam's Repair accounted for his charges,</p><p>But Mike's Repair charges $0 as a fixed charge. Hence, the reduced charges especially when the number of hours for the job is less.</p>[tex]\begin{gathered} 75x+125\leq100x \\ 75x-100x\leq-125 \\ -25x\leq-125 \end{gathered}]()
![\begin{gathered} x\ge(-125)/(-25) \\ \\ x\ge5 \end{gathered}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/mathematics/college/xiqpyh1le7460o7iw8adksz78zge97og96.png)
So, the charges for both Repairs can only be equal if the number of hours is 5.