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Transportation Costs (or Trucker's Dilemma)

Math 1050 College Algebra Project
A

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athe matics

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truck drivin9 26O mileq over a flat interstate at a constant rate of 5O miles per hour gcts i miles to fie @!qn. fuet costs SS.5O per gal!ol!. For each mile Fe horr incrceeo in cpcod, the htrclt loses atenth oil a mflc per $[on in itr milea$e. Driverc 6et $2?.5O per hour in va{es and fixed costs for runnin$thc truck amount to $11.33 per hour. l,lhat constant speed (betwecn 5O mph and tftc specd limit of 65 mnh) should the truck drive to minimize the total Gost of the trip?
To solve a problem like this, it is a good idea to start with calculating an actual example. We will begin by finding the total cost if the truck is driven atj$-Uiles..pr.rjcur. The cost is made up of two components: the fuel cost and the time cost. Be sure to include the correct units with each value below.
Part

I:

A. Irt's

start out by finding how long the trip

will

take.

try> r-ate.
t;

?60-= fO

+:
i,

The length of time required for the trip is

L- ./, J/L

neurt

. (Do not rounrl.)

B. Now, with this time known, how much will it

cost to pay the driver and run the truck?

z (z1,io + tl,?3)

'br,*rt{
,fi z-ol, q Z
will be requiredRound to nearest cent.)

The amount needed to pay the driver and run the truck is

C. Next determine,

at 7 miles per gallon for 260 miles, how much fuel

t q,(,o---\ _ lLttH\ =

\-,_r )
D. With

'/

Theamountoffuelrequiredis
the amount of fuel known, how much

41 1 J I+

will

-u."f'"
Aatiani '

.(Donotround. Leaveasafraction.)

the fuel cost to make the 260 miles?

The cost of the fuel

is t$ t g O , 0O

. (Round to nearest cent.)

E. Finally

we can find the TOTAL cost.

.h

l,4z +

l3o .so

The totat cost for the trip

,r$ 33'

' '

qU

(Round to nearest cent.)

A, 26'

-,

,ft

rt4

,,

65 4q
Part

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tr: The preceding process should have illuminated the basic procedure we will use to find the total cost of a trip. Next we will find the total cost if the truck is driven at 65 miles per hour. As in Part I, include the correct units with each
value"

A. Let's find

how long the trip will taka

Z6o

(rf

The length of time required for the trip is

ln^^n

(Do not rownd.)

B. Now, with this time known,

how much will it cost to pay the driver and run the truck?

Ll

(zt,o,

F r\.i,

:
.

The amount needed to pay the driver andrun the truck

i, & l7f. g"-

(Round to nearest cent.)

whEn the nuck

C. Next, to begin determining the fuel cost, we need to find the mileage (miles per gallon of fuel) is ravelling at 65 miles per hour.

.E; (o
D. With the fuel mileage known, how much fuel,iuill

1,7,
i"

1 - l"T
E{l/ J 'J mites?
Mp

=-

5,r

The mileage at 65 miles per hour

. (Do not round.)

be needed for the 260

z60-/

1ft

j aodn,, ?-GQ q1 e -i il;;;:, ro*nd. Izave as afraction.) The amount of tuel required k G
E. With the amount of fueI known, how much will
the fuel cost to make the 260 miles?

j.TGrrt a tbv'*tt
The cost of the fuel is
. (Round to nearest cent.)

F. Finally we can find the TOTAL

cost.

l[f

,'tf t l5T,3Z: /
.b Tzo ,t1
(Round to nearest cent.)

The total cost for the trip is

l ,i
I

1,.

We should now have a good process for determining the total cost of a tnp for any ratebf speed grq$er than or equal to 50 miles per hour. Next is to $eate a Total Cost function using X as the unknown rate in miles per hour. Simplify your answers and remember to include units. As youwork through each step, test your answers by plugging in Part

IIL

50 mph ond then 65 mph and comparing with results from pans I and IL

A. Irt's find how long the trip will

take.

.260

"

{''\ tripis \,i

r<vth oftime nf time requiredforthe renuietl forthe trin ic The length

\ %%X h**
/

--'.'-"-'.----_.-

it'arr

B. Now with this time known, how much will it cost

to pay the driver and run the truck?

ry(r-,,rr2+ti,*,"P
is travelling at X miles per hour.

{'-

The amount of money needed to pay the driver and run the

C. Next, to begin determining the fuel cost, we need to find the mileage (miles per gallon of fuel) when the truck

f1

x-5o
lo

1Q: ->.tP

to

*r
)

/ '''' - )< + l2<) ,/ miles ner trour is--.=...... LC) .ufl t)miles?
1

D.

With the fuel mileage known, how much fuel will be needed for the 260

'' .."*

'

- --{-

l+f

/to\
t tza/

\ -x

l4aFo -k t tz"o

L-u***
'{?(#\-

of tuel required is

E. With the amount of fuel known, how much will the fuel cost to make the 260 miles?

ri

f zds-o r - \'x *tb)

The cost of the

^Y *tt-o

ltoo

by evaluating it at 50 mph and 65 mph to G. The last thing we should do is veriff that this is the correct function see if we get the same values we have previously eomputed'

,/

c(u,,)=

-K*'
4lao *(oo) fia -+

%('*,4:)

-----=..--\
tL

.,.i= S

g:\,qz
*t1

c(ail =
part

ffi(*b,*il
c(65) =

'$ 3tu,

the Cost Function minimum Assuming the function is modeling correctly, you need to calculate the "oliEupn may use a (50'315). You left point represent and find its minimum point. Sketch your graph here: Have the lower graphing utility to help you find the minirnum point'

rv.

G o S
hr'
frE

minimum COST for the triP is

1r)
77t
3?5
-

\r1

\fi,
?1

3zl
3lr
]r'1

MPH that minimizes COST is

61,5r

MPH
real-world math applications? writg at least Reflective writing: How did this project change the way you think about skills that you applied in this ptq*t math the how and whi. Next, iiscuss paragraph stating what ideas "r,ung"d parts of the project and your own process rn specific to Point impact other classes you will tateln your school career? , it that might have applications for other

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