AlgebraEasy–MediumLinear equations from context
Algebra practice question
A taxi charges a $3.50 base fare plus $2.25 per mile. If a ride costs $19.25 total, how many miles was the ride?
- A. 7Correct
- B. 8.5
- C. 10
- D. 15.75
Answer: A. 7
Set up 3.50 + 2.25m = 19.25. Subtract the base fare: 2.25m = 15.75. Divide by 2.25: m = 7. Choice D (15.75) is the after-base amount, not the mileage — divide by the rate.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. 8.5
- 8.5 doesn't come from a clean version of this setup — dividing the full $19.25 by $2.25 gives about 8.56, not 8.5. Subtract the $3.50 base fare first, then divide the remaining $15.75 by $2.25.
- C. 10
- 10 isn't produced by any single misstep here (10 miles would cost 3.50 + 2.25(10) = $25.50). Check your answer by plugging it back into 3.50 + 2.25m = 19.25.
- D. 15.75
- $15.75 is the amount left after subtracting the base fare — you stopped one step early. Divide it by the $2.25 rate to get the miles.
More Algebra questions
- Easy–Medium
A line passes through the points (0, 3) and (2, 7). What is the slope of the line? - Easy–Medium
A gym charges a $25 one-time signup fee plus $15 per month. Which equation gives the total cost C, in dollars,… - Easy–Medium
If 5(x − 2) = 3x + 4, what is the value of x? - Easy–Medium
The equation of a line is 3x + 2y = 12. What is the y-coordinate of the point where the line crosses the y-axi… - Easy–Medium
A line in the xy-plane passes through the points (1, 5) and (4, 11). What is the y-intercept of the line? - Easy–Medium
If (2/3)x − 5 = 7, what is the value of x?
Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.