Question

One of the rules in a public speaking contest requires contestants to speak for as close to

5
55 minutes
(
300
(300left parenthesis, 300 seconds
)
)right parenthesis as possible. Contestants lose
3
33 points for each second they speak either over or under
5
55 minutes. Which expression below can be used to determine the number of points a contestant loses if she speaks for
x
xx seconds?
Choose 1 answer:

(Choice A)
A
3
∣
x
−
300
∣

Answer 1

Question:

One of the rules in a public speaking contest requires contestants to speak for as close to 5 minutes (300 seconds) as possible. Contestants lose 3 points for each second they speak either over or under 5 minutes. Which expression below can be used to determine the number of points a contestant loses if she speaks for x seconds?

Answer:

`Lost = 300(x - 3)`

Explanation:

Given

`Time = 300s`

`Lost = 3\ points` each

Required

Points lost for x seconds

First, we calculate the total possible points gained.

`Total = 300 * 3`

`Total = 900`

Next, we calculate the total points acquired for x seconds

`Points = 300 * x`

`Points = 300x`

The lost is then calculated using:

`Lost = Points - Total`

`Lost = 300x - 900`

Factorize:

`Lost = 300(x - 3)`