Question

A computer repair shop buys fan cables from two suppliers. A west coast supplier sells the cables for $4.39 each and charges $38 to ship the order. An east coast supplier sells the cables for $3.14 each and charges $63 for shipping. How many cables (
c
) must the repair shop purchase so the total cost from each supplier is the same?



1. 
Step 2: What does the variable represent in this problem?

The variable 
c
 represents the number of fan cables purchased.

The variable 
c
represents the cost for each fan cable.

The variable 
c
represents the cost for all fan cables shipped.

The variable 
c
represents the total cost to ship the fan cables ordered.

Answer 1

Answer:

20

Step-by-step explanation:

Let x be the number of cables.

Let y be the total cost.

Therefore,

West coast:  y = 4.39x + 38

East coast:   y = 3.14x + 63

if the total cost is the same, equate the equations and solve for x:

                  y = y

  4.39x + 38 = 3.14x + 63

4.39x - 3.14x = 63 - 38

            1.25x = 25

                   x = 25 ÷ 1.25 = 20

Therefore, the repair shop should purchase 20 cables for the total cost from each supplier to be the same.