16Hit1600
AlgebraHardStarting value from two readings

Algebra practice question

A taxi meter shows $20 after 3 kilometres and $35 after 6 kilometres, and the fare is a linear function of distance. What did the meter show, in dollars, at the start of the ride?

Answer: 5

The rate is 15/3 = 5 dollars per km, so the start was 20 − 15 = 5.

Common wrong answers

If you answered 0
0 assumes no starting charge.
If you answered 10
10 subtracts one rate step only.
If you answered 15
15 is the rise between the readings.

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