pick the one best suited to the problem. You know that you have a rate 0\of .50 for every mile. So, if x is the number of miles, you know you will have something like
y = .5x
But you have a flat fee of 4.25, regardless of the miles, which is tacked on as soon as the meter starts. So,
y = 0.50x + 4.25
In this case, the slope-intercept form is most convenient.
Extra credit: when might the other forms be handier?
I'm currently working on a project for algebra in which we have to study two cab companies and their flat fees/how much they charge per mile.
One of the taxi services has a flat fee of $4.25, with an added $0.50 for every mile driven. The question I need answered is "Write an equation in slope-intercept, point-slope, or standard form. Explain why you chose the form you did." I have no clue how to write the equation they are asking me to, or which one to choose. Please help explain this to me! Thank you so much.
4 answers
Thank you so so much, Steve! It is actually making some sense to me. The point slope would be handier if there was more than one variable, right?
An experiment is underway to test effect of extreme temperature on a newly developed liquid two hours into the experiment the temperature of the liquid is measured to be-17 degrees Celsius after eight hours of the experiment the temperature of the liquid is -47 degrees Celsius assume that the temperature has been changing at a constant rate throughout the experiment and will continue to do so
try using the two-point form of the line. Your two points are (2,-17) and (8,-47)
2 answers