Question

The following is a partial table of values for the cost of natural gas in a particular city. What is the basic charge (starting value) if no therms are used and what is the unit rate charge? Round your answer to the nearest penny if necessary.tC(t)0.0$15.675.0$19.9810.0$24.2915.0$28.60Group of answer choices$0.862, $15.67 per thermThere is not enough information to answer the question.$15.67, $0.862 per therm$3.13, $4.00 per therm

Answer 1

For the basic charge (starting value), it is charge at t = 0.

Therefore, the basic charge is $15.67.

Next, let's determine the unit rate charge.

Let,

x₁, y₁ = 0, 15.67

x₂, y₂ = 5.0, 19.98

We get,

$\text{ Unit rate = }\frac{y_2-y_1}{x_2-x_1}=\text{ }\frac{\text{ 19.98 - 15.67}}{\text{ 5.0 - 0}}\text{ = }\frac{\text{ 4.31}}{\text{ 5}}$$\text{ Unit rate = \ 0.862}$

Therefore, the unit rate change is $0.862.

The answer is, therefore, letter C : $15.67, $0.862 per therm