Problem of the Week - Algebra and Up - Sept. 13 to Sept. 19, 2020

Sep 18, 2020 | West Covina

 

 

 

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