The electric bill charge for a certain utility company is
$0.016
per kilowatt-hour plus a fixed monthly tax of
$11.37
. The total cost,
y
, depends on the number of kilowatt-hours,
x
, according to the equation
=y≥+0.016x11.37, x0
.
(c) Determine the
y
-intercept. Interpret the meaning of the
y
-intercept in the context of this problem.
The
y
-intercept is
,
. This means that for
kilowatt-hour(s) used, the cost is
$
.
The y-intercept is (0, 11.37). This means that if no kilowatt-hours are used (x = 0), the cost of the electric bill is $11.37. In other words, even if no electricity is used, the fixed monthly tax of $11.37 still needs to be paid.
To determine the y-intercept, we need to find the value of y when x is equal to 0 in the equation.
Given the equation: y = 0.016x + 11.37
When x = 0, the equation becomes:
y = 0.016(0) + 11.37
y = 0 + 11.37
y = 11.37
So, the y-intercept is (0, 11.37).
In the context of this problem, the y-intercept represents the fixed monthly tax of $11.37. This means that even if no kilowatt-hours are used, the customer will still have to pay a fixed amount of $11.37 as a monthly tax.
To determine the y-intercept, we need to find the value of y when x=0.
The equation given is y = 0.016x + 11.37.
Substituting x=0 into the equation, we have:
y = 0.016(0) + 11.37
y = 0 + 11.37
y = 11.37
Therefore, the y-intercept is (0, 11.37).
In the context of this problem, the y-intercept represents the fixed monthly tax charged by the utility company. It is the cost that remains constant regardless of the number of kilowatt-hours used. So, even if you don't use any electricity (x=0), you will still have to pay the fixed monthly tax of $11.37.