Samantha is planning to take a trip. The cost of the plane ticket is $575. She earns $15 an hour (h) and has already saved $135. Which of the following inequalities shows the number of hours (h) Samantha could work in order to buy her ticket? Select two that apply.

A.

15h + 135 ≤ 575

B.

15h + 135 ≥ 575

C.

15h ≥ 440

D.

15h ≥ 710

1 answer

To find the number of hours (h) Samantha needs to work to afford her plane ticket, we can start by setting up the inequality based on her earnings and savings.

The total cost of the plane ticket is $575. Samantha has already saved $135, so the amount she still needs is:

\[ 575 - 135 = 440 \]

Now, since she earns $15 for each hour she works, the amount she will earn from working h hours is \(15h\). We want to express the fact that her earnings added to her savings should meet or exceed the cost of the ticket.

This gives us the inequality:

\[ 15h + 135 \geq 575 \]

Which can also be rewritten as:

\[ 15h \geq 440 \]

Thus, the correct options are:

A. \(15h + 135 \leq 575\) (Not correct, because we need to show at least enough for the ticket)

B. \(15h + 135 \geq 575\) (Correct)

C. \(15h \geq 440\) (Correct)

D. \(15h \geq 710\) (Not correct)

So, the two inequalities that apply are B and C:

  • B: \(15h + 135 \geq 575\)
  • C: \(15h \geq 440\)