Julian is interested in building a new house. Three architects have given him plans. The first plan is for a house that will be 2,250 square feet. The total cost of the house will be $281,250. The second plan is for a house that will be 2,400 square feet. The total cost of the second house will be $288,000. The third plan is for a house that will be 2,500 square feet. The total cost of the third house will be $305,000. If Julian wanted to choose the plan with the least expensive cost per square foot, which would he choose?

Divide cost of each house by its area and compare.

To determine the plan with the least expensive cost per square foot, we need to calculate the price per square foot for each house.

For the first house, we divide the total cost ($281,250) by the square footage (2,250):
Price per square foot for the first house = $281,250 / 2,250 = $125

For the second house, we divide the total cost ($288,000) by the square footage (2,400):
Price per square foot for the second house = $288,000 / 2,400 = $120

For the third house, we divide the total cost ($305,000) by the square footage (2,500):
Price per square foot for the third house = $305,000 / 2,500 = $122

Comparing the prices per square foot, the second house has the lowest cost per square foot at $120. Therefore, Julian should choose the second plan, which is for a house that will be 2,400 square feet and will cost $288,000.