Question

Kevin delivers newspapers in his town every morning. The amount he earns from delivering newspapers is given by y = 30x + 18, where y is the amount he earns in cents and x is the number of houses he delivers newspapers to. However, he is paid a certain amount even if he doesn't deliver any newspapers on a certain day. How much is he paid if he doesn't deliver any newspapers? (x 0, y 0)

a) 20 cents
b) 15 cents
c) 12 cents
d) 18 cents

Answer 1

the answer is D 18 cents

Answer 2

The y-intercept is the amount that is "fixed", per se, and does not change, no matter how x changes. If he makes 30 cents for every paper he delivers, that amount will vary depending upon how many papers he delivers. But no matter how many papers he delivers he will always at least make 18 cents, even if he doesn't deliver a single paper.