Algebra and Up:
Question: A 16-ounce green smoothie with 1 scoop of super vitamin powder costs $4.85. A 16-ounce green smoothie with 3 scoops of super vitamin powder costs $5.55. Write a function of x, the number of scoops of super vitamin powder, that yields the cost of a green smoothie.
Answer: f(x) = $0.35x + $4.50
Solution: First, we notice that when the number of scoops of super vitamin powder increases by 2, the price increases by $5.55 – $4.85 = $0.70. So, each scoop of super vitamin powder costs $0.35. To find the cost of a 16–ounce smoothie without the super vitamin powder, we can subtract $4.85 – $0.35 = $4.50. So, the cost of a green smoothie is $4.50 plus the total of $0.35 times the number of scoops:
f(x) = $0.35x + $4.50