Question

Prepaid electricity costs R0,63 cents per kWg for a small household in Bergville. Metered electricity has a service charge of R45 per month and costs R0,52 per kWh. If the average household uses 350 kWh of electricity, set up seperate tables an graphs to compare these cost structures. Which system is cheaper for the average household in Bergville ​

Answer 1

To compare the cost structures of prepaid and metered electricity for the average household in Bergville, we can set up separate tables and graphs.

Table for Prepaid Electricity:

| Usage (kWh) | Cost (R) |

|-----------------|---------------|

| 350 | 350 * 0.63 |

Table for Metered Electricity:

| Usage (kWh) | Cost (R) |

|-----------------|---------------|

| 350 | 350 * 0.52 |

|-----------------|---------------|

| Service | 45 |

Graphs:

Prepaid Electricity:

^

|

Cost | * (350, 220.50)

(R) |

|___________________________

0 350 kWh

Metered Electricity:

^

|

Cost | * (350, 182.00)

(R) |

|______________________________

0 350 kWh

From the tables and graphs, we can see that for an average household using 350 kWh of electricity, the cost of prepaid electricity would be:

Cost = 350 * 0.63 = 220.50 R

The cost of metered electricity would be:

Cost = 350 * 0.52 + 45 = 182.00 + 45 = 227.00 R

Therefore, based on these calculations, prepaid electricity is cheaper for the average household in Bergville, as it costs 220.50 R compared to 227.00 R for metered electricity.