The fuel cost, C, for a 3000 mile trip depends on the price, p, per gallon of gasoline and fuel economy in miles per gallon, m, of the car according to the formula . On the same set of axes, sketch a graph of C as a function of m with fixed gas prices of $2.00, $2.25, $2.50, and $2.75. What do you observe as gas prices increase?
A)The graphs are all straight lines from the origin with slopes that get progressively less steep.
B)The graphs are similarly shaped curves that get progressively higher.
C)The graphs are all straight lines from the origin with slopes that get progressively steeper.
D)The graphs are similarly shaped curves that get progressively lower.

Question

The fuel cost, C, for a 3000 mile trip depends on the price, p, per gallon of gasoline and fuel economy in miles per gallon, m, of the car according to the formula  . On the same set of axes, sketch a graph of C as a function of m with fixed gas prices of $2.00, $2.25, $2.50, and $2.75. What do you observe as gas prices increase?
A)The graphs are all straight lines from the origin with slopes that get progressively less steep. 
B)The graphs are similarly shaped curves that get progressively higher. 
C)The graphs are all straight lines from the origin with slopes that get progressively steeper. 
D)The graphs are similarly shaped curves that get progressively lower.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the formula, C = (3000/m)*p, the cost of the trip is inversely proportional to the fuel economy, meaning as the fuel economy (m) increases, the cost (C) decreases. However, as the gas price (p) increases, the cost of the trip (C) also increases. This means that the graph of C as a function of m will be a curve that gets progressively higher as gas prices increase. Therefore, the best choice is B, the graphs are similarly shaped curves that get progressively higher.

The Fuel Cost, C, for a 3000 Mile Trip Depends