Q3 The cost to pick apples at two orchards is shown in an equation and with a description:

Orchard A: y=0.2x+3
Orchard B: Admission is $5 and apples cost $0.75 per pound.
A pound of apples contains about 3 apples. If paying the least amount is most important to you, which orchard should you use if you are going to pick 32 apples? Explain how you arrived at your answer and show your work.

1 answer

To determine which orchard is cheaper for picking 32 apples, we will calculate the total cost of picking apples at both Orchard A and Orchard B. We need to convert the number of apples into pounds, since the price for Orchard B is given in pounds.

  1. Convert Apples to Pounds: \[ 1 \text{ pound of apples} \approx 3 \text{ apples} \] Therefore, to find the number of pounds for 32 apples: \[ \text{Pounds of apples} = \frac{32 \text{ apples}}{3 \text{ apples/pound}} \approx 10.67 \text{ pounds} \]

  2. Calculate the Cost at Orchard A: The cost equation for Orchard A is given as: \[ y = 0.2x + 3 \] Here, \(x\) represents the number of pounds, which we will substitute: \[ y = 0.2(10.67) + 3 \] First, calculate \(0.2 \times 10.67\): \[ 0.2 \times 10.67 = 2.134 \] Now substitute this into the equation: \[ y = 2.134 + 3 = 5.134 \]

  3. Calculate the Cost at Orchard B: At Orchard B, there is an admission of $5 plus the cost of apples at $0.75 per pound: \[ \text{Total cost} = \text{Admission} + (\text{Cost per pound} \times \text{Pounds}) \] Substituting the values: \[ \text{Total cost} = 5 + (0.75 \times 10.67) \] First, calculate \(0.75 \times 10.67\): \[ 0.75 \times 10.67 \approx 8.0025 \] Now substitute back: \[ \text{Total cost} = 5 + 8.0025 \approx 13.0025 \]

  4. Compare Costs:

    • Cost at Orchard A: $5.134
    • Cost at Orchard B: $13.0025

Since $5.134 < $13.0025, Orchard A is the cheaper option for picking 32 apples.

Conclusion: If you are looking for the least amount to spend, you should choose Orchard A, which will cost you approximately $5.13 compared to $13.00 at Orchard B.