Question

1. an internet provider charges an equipment fee when installed and then a monthly payment for service. the table below shows the cost, y, a customer pays after x months.

months	cost
5	$337.50
8	$531.00

a second company charges a monthly rate of $70, plus $55.50 for installation. which company has a higher monthly payment?
__ has a higher monthly payment and it is $__

Explanation:

Step1: Find the monthly rate of the first company

Let the cost function of the first company be \( y = mx + b \), where \( m \) is the monthly rate and \( b \) is the installation fee. Using the points \((3, 208.50)\) and \((5, 337.50)\):
The slope \( m=\frac{337.50 - 208.50}{5 - 3}=\frac{129}{2}=64.5\) dollars per month.

Step2: Compare with the second company's rate

The second company's monthly rate is \( \$70 \). Since \( 70>64.5 \), the second company has a higher monthly payment. The difference is \( 70 - 64.5 = 5.5 \) dollars.

Answer:

The second company has a higher monthly payment, and it is \(\$5.5\) more.