A computer technician charges a fixed amount for a repair, plus an additional amount per hour. The equation below describes y, the total amount the technician charges, in dollars, based on x hours for the repair. y=45x+75
What is the meaning of the initial amount for the equation?
The initial amount, in this case, is $75. It represents the fixed amount that the computer technician charges for the repair, regardless of the number of hours spent on the repair.
The initial amount, which is $75 in this case, represents the fixed or base charge for the repair. It is the amount that the technician will charge regardless of the number of hours it takes to complete the repair.
In the given equation, y = 45x + 75, the initial amount is represented by the constant term, 75. This term, in this context, represents the fixed amount charged by the computer technician for the repair, regardless of the number of hours it takes to complete the job.
To understand the meaning of the initial amount, let's break down the equation:
- The coefficient of x, 45, represents the additional amount charged per hour for the repair.
- The variable x represents the number of hours it takes to complete the repair.
- The constant term, 75, represents the fixed amount that the technician charges, irrespective of the hours involved in the repair.
For example, if the technician charges $45 per hour and an additional fixed amount of $75, then even if the repair is completed in zero hours (x = 0), the technician would still charge $75. The initial amount ensures that there is a minimum cost associated with the repair, regardless of the time taken.