Question

A used bookstore sells paperback fiction books in excellent condition for $2.50 and in fair condition for $0.50. Write an expression for the cost of buying x excellent-condition paperbacks and f fair-condition payperbacks.

Answer 1

In the problem, we are given that:

x = number of excellent condition paper backs book that is bought

f = number of fair condition paper backs book that is bought

Also let us say that:

a = price of excellent condition paper backs book = $ 2.50

b = price of fair condition paper backs book = $ 0.50

Therefore the total cost of buying the books can be written as a function of x and f:

total cost = a * x + b * f

Substituting the values of a and b into the expression:

total cost = 2.50 x + 0.50 f