I a working wth a cell phone performance task project. I have to determine which three cell phones are the best for a first time user and develop an equation for each of them.

Wal-Mart has a plan for $30.00 a month with .29 per minute. It includes a $70.00 phone with a rebate of $40.00 and a two year contract. Nextel has a plan for $28.00 a month plus $.30 per minute. With this plan you get a free phone and unlimited minutes with no contract. Carolina has a plan for $25.00 a month plus $.32 per minute. All roaming and long distance are free. You also get a phone for $19.99 with a one year contract.

How do I develop an equation that show the beginning of the first month and one that shows the equation after the first month.

I am stuck on the minutes. Please help!

A phone company has different payment plans for a cell phone. One of the plans charges a flat rate of $15 per month and 10 cents for every minute. Find a linear equation to model this plan.

To develop equations that represent the cost for each cell phone plan, you need to consider the monthly fee, the cost per minute, and any additional costs or benefits associated with the plan.

Let's analyze each plan and break them down into equations:

1. Wal-Mart Plan:
- Monthly fee: $30.00
- Cost per minute: $0.29
- Phone cost: $70.00 (after a $40.00 rebate)
- Contract duration: 2 years (24 months)

For the first month, the equation would be:
Cost = Monthly fee + (Cost per minute x Total minutes used) + Phone cost
Cost = $30.00 + ($0.29 x Total minutes used) + $70.00

After the first month, you would only need to consider the monthly fee and the cost per minute, as the phone cost and contract duration are already accounted for:
Cost = Monthly fee + (Cost per minute x Total minutes used)

2. Nextel Plan:
- Monthly fee: $28.00
- Cost per minute: $0.30
- Free phone
- No contract

For the first month and subsequent months, the equation would be:
Cost = Monthly fee + (Cost per minute x Total minutes used)

3. Carolina plan:
- Monthly fee: $25.00
- Cost per minute: $0.32
- Phone cost: $19.99
- Contract duration: 1 year (12 months)

For the first month, the equation would be:
Cost = Monthly fee + (Cost per minute x Total minutes used) + Phone cost
Cost = $25.00 + ($0.32 x Total minutes used) + $19.99

After the first month, you would only need to consider the monthly fee and the cost per minute, as the phone cost and contract duration are already accounted for:
Cost = Monthly fee + (Cost per minute x Total minutes used)

Once you have these equations, you can compare the costs for different usage scenarios and determine which three cell phones are the best for a first-time user.