20.5: H1.05- Example 3 Alternative Method

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Alternative method of solution for Example 3:

Example 3 question: For a certain type of letter sent by Federal Express, the charge is $8.50 for the first 8 ounces and $0.90 for each additional ounce (up to 16 ounces.) How much will it cost to send a 12-ounce letter?

We saw here that it is awkward for the value to be so far from any useful values for the variables. This suggests that we re-define the variables to be more useful.

1-2. Define the variables and their units and possible values. List the points.

Let x = number of ounces above 8. So the possible values for x are 0 to 8 (which corresponds to the letter weighing 8 ounces to 16 ounces.)

Let y = cost. The possible values for y are $8.50 and larger.

A letter weighing 8 ounces costs $8.50. So x = 0. The point is (0, 8.50)

A letter weighing 9 ounces costs $8.50+0.90 = $9.40. So x = 1. The point is (1, 9.40)

3. Is a linear model appropriate?

Yes, because the cost increases by the same amount for each additional ounce.

4-5. Find the slope and the formula.

Using the points above, we have

6. Interpret the y-intercept.

When x = 0, the value for y is 8.50. Since x = weight – 8 ounces, that means that when the letter weighs 8 ounces, the cost is $8.50.

Notice that defining the x-variable in this manner has made the y-intercept more meaningful in the problem.

7. Make the prediction.

If the letter weighs 12 ounces, then we use x = 12 – 8 = 4. So $y=8.50+0.90\cdot4=8.50+3.60=12.10$ .

This agrees with the answer we found by the first method.

8. Graph and check whether you obtain the same results.

weight	x = weight – 8	y=cost
8	0	8.5
9	1	9.4

By hand, plot these points, draw the line, extend it to the limits for the variables, and use it to estimate the answer to the question.

$graph5$

On the graph, look up a weight of 12 ounces, which is
x = 12 – 8 = 4.

The cost for x = 4 is a little larger than $12, which is consistent with the value we obtained from the formula.

Mathematics for Modeling. Authored by: Mary Parker and Hunter Ellinger. License: CC BY: Attribution