Deconstructing the QuestionCar Cost = $12/km.
Train Cost = $8/km.
Given:
1. Car Cost is \(x\%\) of Total Cost.
2. Car Distance is \(y\%\) of Total Distance.
Target: Find \(y\) in terms of \(x\).
Step 1: Set up Variables (or Smart Numbers)Let Total Distance = 100 units (to make percentages easy).
Then:
- Distance by Car = \(y\)
- Distance by Train = \(100 - y\)
Step 2: Calculate Costs- Cost by Car (\(C_c\)) = \(12 \times y = 12y\)
- Cost by Train (\(C_t\)) = \(8 \times (100 - y) = 800 - 8y\)
- Total Cost (\(C_{tot}\)) = \(12y + 800 - 8y = 4y + 800\)
Step 3: Relate to xWe are given that \(C_c\) is \(x\%\) of \(C_{tot}\).
Equation:
\(\frac{C_c}{C_{tot}} = \frac{x}{100}\)
\(\frac{12y}{4y + 800} = \frac{x}{100}\)
Simplify the left side by dividing numerator and denominator by 4:
\(\frac{3y}{y + 200} = \frac{x}{100}\)
Step 4: Solve for yCross-multiply:
\(300y = x(y + 200)\)
\(300y = xy + 200x\)
Rearrange to isolate \(y\):
\(300y - xy = 200x\)
\(y(300 - x) = 200x\)
\(y = \frac{200x}{300 - x}\)
Answer: B