Question

select the correct answer.
chris has a cell phone plan with a flat fee of $26.00 per month, plus a cost of $0.12 per minute of usage. chris can only afford a monthly bill of $86.00.
which statement is true?
a. chris needs to use fewer than 400 minutes per month
b. chris needs to use fewer than 450 minutes per month
c. chris can afford to use up to 500 minutes per month
d. chris can afford to use up to 550 minutes per month

Explanation:

Step1: Define variables and inequality

Let $m$ = monthly usage minutes.
Total cost: $26 + 0.12m \leq 86$

Step2: Isolate the variable term

Subtract 26 from both sides:
$0.12m \leq 86 - 26$
$0.12m \leq 60$

Step3: Solve for m

Divide by 0.12:
$m \leq \frac{60}{0.12}$
$m \leq 500$

Answer:

C. Chris can afford to use up to 500 minutes per month