College

Tim's company offers a reimbursement package of [tex] \$0.45 [/tex] per mile plus [tex] \$175 [/tex] a year for maintenance. If [tex] x [/tex] represents the number of miles, which equation below models [tex] C [/tex], the total amount of reimbursement the company offers?

A. [tex] C = 45x + 175 [/tex]
B. [tex] C = 0.45 + 175x [/tex]
C. [tex] C = 0.45 + 175 [/tex]
D. [tex] C = 0.45x + 175 [/tex]

Answer :

Certainly! Let's figure out which equation models the total reimbursement, [tex]\( C \)[/tex], that Tim's company offers:

1. Reimbursement Per Mile:
The company offers \[tex]$0.45 for each mile driven. If \( x \) represents the number of miles, the reimbursement for the miles is calculated as:
\[
0.45 \times x
\]

2. Fixed Maintenance Fee:
In addition to the mileage reimbursement, Tim's company also pays a fixed amount of \$[/tex]175 per year for maintenance. This adds a constant value to the total reimbursement.

3. Total Reimbursement Model:
The total reimbursement, [tex]\( C \)[/tex], is the sum of the reimbursement per mile and the fixed maintenance fee:
[tex]\[
C = 0.45x + 175
\][/tex]

Now, let's match this model to the given options:

- A. [tex]\( C = 45x + 175 \)[/tex] – This option incorrectly calculates the per-mile reimbursement.
- B. [tex]\( C = 0.45 + 175x \)[/tex] – This option incorrectly applies the 0.45 factor and the 175 value.
- C. [tex]\( C = 0.45 + 175 \)[/tex] – This option doesn't account for the variable nature of miles.
- D. [tex]\( C = 0.45x + 175 \)[/tex] – This correctly represents the total reimbursement, with 0.45 per mile and an additional 175 fixed amount.

Thus, the correct equation that models the total reimbursement is option D:
[tex]\( C = 0.45x + 175 \)[/tex]