This is for a project for Beginning Algebra at Great Bridge Middle School 8th grade class. Here's the questions:
The number of companies offering cell phone service has grown rapidly in recent years. The plans they offer vary greatly and it can be difficult to select the plan that is the best cost effect. All three phone plans are offer reliable service, equal phone quality, and equivalent extensive network coverage.
Plan One: A $25 per month fee and a charge of $0.32 per minute. Must purchase a $19.99 phone with a contract for 1 year. Free roaming and long distance .
Plan Two: A $30 per month fee plus a charge of 0.30 cent per minute. Must purchase a $70 phone with a $40 rebate and sign a 2 year contract. Unlimited minutes on weekend.
Plan Three: A $28 per month fee plus $30 per minute. Free phone for new customers with unlimited anytime network minutes.
Develop an equation that would represent the total cost of each plan at the beginning of the month.
Develop an equation that would represent the total cost of each plan after the first month.
Definitely don't take plan three at $30/minute.
After first month:
One: $19.99 + $25 + .32m
Two: ($70-$40) + $30 + .30m
Three: $28 + $30m
At beginning of month, there are no minutes.
To develop equations that represent the total cost of each plan, we need to consider the monthly fee, the cost per minute (if applicable), and any additional costs such as the purchase of a phone.
Let's start with developing the equation for the total cost of each plan at the beginning of the month:
Plan One:
- Monthly fee: $25
- Cost per minute: $0.32
- Phone purchase: $19.99
The equation for Plan One would be: Total cost = 25 + 0.32x + 19.99, where x represents the number of minutes used in the month.
Plan Two:
- Monthly fee: $30
- Cost per minute: $0.30
- Phone purchase: $70 (with a $40 rebate, so we'll consider the net cost as $30)
The equation for Plan Two would be: Total cost = 30 + 0.30x + 30, where x represents the number of minutes used in the month.
Plan Three:
- Monthly fee: $28
- Cost per minute: $0 (no cost per minute)
- Phone purchase: $0 (free phone for new customers)
The equation for Plan Three would be: Total cost = 28 + 0x, where x represents the number of minutes used in the month. Note that there is no cost per minute indicated, as the plan offers unlimited anytime network minutes.
Now, let's develop the equation for the total cost of each plan after the first month:
For Plan One and Plan Two, we need to consider the cost per minute, so the equation will remain the same as above: Total cost = monthly fee + cost per minute * number of minutes used.
For Plan Three, as it offers unlimited anytime network minutes, the equation remains the same: Total cost = monthly fee.
These equations will allow you to calculate the total cost of each plan at the beginning and after the first month, based on the number of minutes used.