High School

Katie's favorite deli has a salad bar where she can make her own salad. She has to pay $1 for the container and $3 per pound for the salad.

Write an equation that shows how the total cost, [tex]y[/tex], depends on the weight of the salad in pounds, [tex]x[/tex].

Do not include dollar signs in the equation.

Answer :

Answer: y = 3x + 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Following the y = mx + b theory, we can find the equation (see attached image) by plugging in two points of the hypothetical graph.

For one pound of salad, Katie will pay $4 ($3 for the salad, $1 for the container). Thus, the first point will be (1,4). For two pounds, Katie will pay $7. Thus, the second point will be (2,7).

Knowing that m (slope) = [tex]\frac{y_{2}-y_{1}}{x_{2}-{x_1}}[/tex], we can get the equation m = [tex]\frac{7-4}{2-1}[/tex], thus telling us that m = [tex]\frac{3}{1}[/tex], or 3. Plug in 3 for m, and you get y = 3x + b.

To solve for b, lets' use the second point (2,7). Plug in the coordinates and you get 7 = 3(2) + b, or 7 = 6 + b. Subtract 6 from both sides and you get b = 1.

Plug in 1 for b and you end up with y = 3x + 1

Answer:

y = 3x + 1

Step-by-step explanation: