Question

Question #dc54e

Answer 1

100 newspapers

Explanation:

You have to turn the confusing tangle of words into nice clear maths equations.

So, the first paper run is a flat rate of $15 p/w + `$0.02 times "no. of newspapers"`. This can be expressed as `R_1"(run)"=0.02n+15`

The second paper run can be expressed as `R_2=0.03n+14`

Now look back at the question and work out what it's actually asking you to do: how many newspapers must he deliver to make the same amount of money he earns now?

So we need to solve for `n` when `R_1=R_2`:
`0.02n+15=0.03n+14`
`0.02n+1=0.03n`
`1=0.01n`
`1/0.01=n`
`n=100`

`:.` Mike needs to deliver 100 newspapers before he gets the same amount of money.

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Another way to do this is to plot both equations and see where they intercept.