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In Mathematics / College | 2025-07-07

Bryan wants to ship three medium-sized boxes. Two companies offer different rates.

| Company | Rate |
|---|---|
| A | $14.65 per box |
| B | First box is free, $ 16.20 for any additional boxes |

Bryan used the six steps to solve this problem. On one of the steps, he decided that he would use multiplication and addition to compare the companies and find the

Asked by Sunnieacevedo

Answer (1)

Calculate the total cost for Company A by multiplying the cost per box by the number of boxes: $Cost_A = 14.65 \times 3 = $43.95.
Calculate the total cost for Company B, considering the first box is free: $Cost_B = 16.20 \times 2 = $32.40.
Compare the total costs: $32.40 < $43.95.
Conclude that Company B is the cheaper option: $\boxed{$32.40}.

Explanation

Problem Analysis Bryan wants to ship three medium-sized boxes and needs to find the cheapest shipping option between two companies, A and B. Company A charges $14.65 per box, while Company B offers the first box for free and charges $16.20 for each additional box. We need to calculate the total cost for each company and compare them.

Calculate Cost for Company A First, let's calculate the total cost of shipping three boxes with Company A. Since Company A charges 14.65 p er b o x , t h e t o t a l cos t i s t h ecos tp er b o x m u lt i pl i e d b y t h e n u mb ero f b o x es : C os t A ​ = 14.65 × 3 = 43.95 $
So, the total cost for Company A is $43.95.

Calculate Cost for Company B Next, let's calculate the total cost of shipping three boxes with Company B. Company B offers the first box for free, so Bryan only needs to pay for the remaining two boxes. The cost for each additional box is 16.20. T h ere f ore , t h e t o t a l cos t i s : C os t B ​ = 16.20 × 2 = 32.40 $
So, the total cost for Company B is $32.40.

Compare Costs Now, let's compare the total costs for both companies: Cost_A = $43.95 Cost_B = $32.40 Since $32.40 < $43.95, Company B is the cheaper option.

Final Answer Therefore, the cheapest option for Bryan is Company B, with a total cost of $32.40.


Examples
Imagine you're planning a road trip with friends and need to rent camping gear. One rental place charges a flat rate per item, while another offers a 'first item free' deal. By calculating the total cost for each option, just like Bryan did with the shipping companies, you can quickly determine the most cost-effective choice for your group, ensuring you save money for more important things like snacks and gas!

Answered by GinnyAnswer | 2025-07-07