Question

A taxi service charges a flat fee of $1.25 and $0.75 per mile. If Henry has $14.00, which of the following shows the number of miles he can afford to ride in the taxi?

Answer 1

Make an equation.

1.25 is the flat fee, so it will be a constant. (A number not multiplied by a variable).

However, .75¢ is NOT flat, as it is being charged per mile. Thus, represent the amount of miles he can drive as “m” and multiply it by .75. Then add the flat fee.

Finally, have it be equal to $14, because that is all Henry has to spend.

Our equation is 1.25+.75m=14.

We can solve by subtracting 1.25 from both sides and dividing both sides by .75 to isolate m.

1.25+.75m=14

.75m=12.75

M=17

Hope this helps!