Name

Date

c;frl*"xTfi,s.

Transportation Costs (or Trucker's Dilemma)

Coll6se-

Math 1050 College Algebra Project

1\I athe matics D e"part me nt

truck driving 26O miles over a flat interstate at a constant rate of 5O miles per hour gets 7 miles to the
gallon. Fuel costs $3.5O per gallon. For each mile per hour increase in speed, the truck loses a tenth of a
mile per gallon in its mileage. Driverc get $27.5O per hour in wagles and fixed costs for running the truck
amountto $11.33 per hour. Whatconstantspeed (between 5O mph andthespeed limitof 65 mph) should
the truck drive to minimize the total cost of the tripP
A

I:

problem like this, it is a good idea to start with calculating an actual example. We will begin by finding
at 50 miles per hour. The cost is made up of two components: the fuel cost and the
time cost. Be sure to include the correct units with each value below.
Part

To solve

the total cost

if the truck is driven

A. Let's start out by finding

how long the trip will take.

74( o
The length

oftimerequiredforthe trip
is

B. Now, with this time known, how much will it cost to pay the driver

. 12 n.il\",r"W

1fu5

and run the truck?

*1.50

t |,.3

665

x 5.e-. (Rowtd to neareil cent.)

The amount needed to pay the driver and run the tmck is

C. Next determine,

at 7 miles per gallon for 260 miles, how much fuel

(Do not round. Leave as afraction.)

The amount of fuel required is

D. With

the amount of fuel known. how much

Ybo
1

will

the fuel cost to make the 260 miles?

3.5
The cost of the fuel is

E. Finally we can find the TOTAL

nl.1>

+ i:. vn.

will be required.

. (Round to nearest cent.)

cost.

01)
The total cost for the trip is

(Round to nearest cent.)

II:

The preceding process should have illuminated the basic procedure we will use to find the total cost of a trip.
Next we will find the total cost if the truck is driven at 65 miles per hour. As in Part I, include the correct units with each
value.
Part

A. Let's find how long the uip will

take.

The length of time required for the trip is

B. Now, with this time known, how much will it cost

(Do rnt round.)

to pay the driver and run the truck?

3093 Y 1
The amount needed to pay the driver and run the truck is

nt55,3k

. (Round to nearest cent.)

C. Next, to begin determining the fuel cost, we need to find the mileage (miles per gallon of fuel) when the truck
is travelling at 65 miles per hour.

65

-m
15xtr=1.5

-7-t.5= 55

The mileage at 65 miles per hour is

D. With the fuel

mileage known, how much fuel

Theamountof fuelrequired

will

is

E. With the amount of fuel known. how much will

(Do not round.)

rY1

be needed for the 260 miles?

tu
ry m.L4nf?'ffN"d
?'?

.ponot@

the fuel cost to make the260 miles?

The cost of the fuel is

F. Finally we can find the TOTAL

5.5

t-\5

. (Round to ncarest cent.)

cost.

{ ib5 tlE

$t5bk

ff 270.1J

(Round to nearest cent.)

Part

III.

We should now have a good process for determining the total cost of a trip for any rate of speed greater than or
equal to 50 miles per hour. Next is to create a Total Cost function using X as the unknown rate in miles per hour.

Simplify your answers and remember to include units. As yor work through each step, test your answers
50 mph and then 65 mph and comparing with results from parts I an^d II.

A. Let's find how

by plugging in

long the trip will take.

*;txJ\^" ^/h
The length oftime requiredforthe

B. Now with this time known, how much will it cost to pay the driver

*o

and run the

t,

Lu6'

&

ruck?

C. Next, to begin determining the fuel cost, we need to find the mileage (miles per gallon of fuel) when the uuck
is navelling at X miles per hour.

1-,t(x-ll)
l-"/x.?5
=

t&-./K

D. With the fuel mileage known, how much fuel will

be needed for the 260 miles?

oi
t?--.

lx wL
rhe amounr orruer reouired

is

'l - (y-O 0) ,
| .qaltJn\
u)

E. With the amount of fuel known, how much will the fuel cost to make the 260 miles?

F. Now we can find the TOTAL

cost function.

\
<=---E,,= j 5?
_/rut.
(*-5di
o),,,,"o"^Jc(x)

#(38:)

G. The last thing we should do is verify that this is the correct function by evaluating it at 50 mph and 65 mph to
see if we get the same values we have previously computed.

c(50) =

c(6s)=

g 3U

1Z-

{ Vlo l1

IV.

Assuming the function is modeling correctly, you need to calculate the minimum cost. Graph the Cost Function
point. Sketch your graph here: Have the lower left point represent (50,315). You may use a
graphing utility to help you find the minimum point.
Part

and find its minimum

rhe minimum CoSr for the ,np'"f

.]--

rhe MpH that minimizes

il ,L

*o

cosr

34 ( . 1 I

b I . flA rn I

l\

8o

MPH

Reflective Writing: How did this project change the way you think about real-world math applications? Write at least one
paragraph stating what ideas changed and why. Next, discuss how the math skills that youipplied in this project will
impact other classes you will take in your school career? Point to specific parts of the pro.;eci anO your own process in
completing it that might have applications for other classes.